The megalopolis in the test of the climate
New York is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as is the state of the same name. This involves a massive plan to reduce the energy consumption of buildings, the supply of green electricity and the use of less polluting vehicles by the municipality. But as with most Western metropolises, New York is struggling to cope with its infernal car traffic. In some parts of Manhattan, the average speed of cars is 7.5 km/h. A city toll system for motorists heading into Manhattan was due to be introduced in 2024 to relieve congestion in the area, but the state's governor Kathy Hochul announced that she would indefinitely postpone the project, which was encountering a great deal of resistance. The official reason was the high fares (US$15) for motorists making the daily trip, in a context of inflation already difficult for many New Yorkers. The profits generated were to be used to improve the New York subway system, which has a punctuality rate of only 65% on weekdays. To be continued...
The number of journeys made by bicycle has tripled since the early 2000s. There are currently 2,000 kilometers of bike lanes in New York, 772 km of which are physically separated from cars. The public bike-sharing network, Citi Bike, is expanding rapidly, with the aim of reaching a fleet of 40,000 vehicles installed in all five boroughs in the next few years. However, after a series of fatal accidents involving cyclists in 2019, the mayor's office had to announce a new safety plan, and new facilities are gradually being built throughout the city.
A rich urban wildlife
There are 121 square kilometers of green space in New York City, representing 14% of the city's total area, spread over 1,942 parks and gardens. There are over 3,000 species of plants in the city. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse plant areas in the city. This 21-acre park is home to beautiful Japanese cherry trees and rose gardens. The largest park, Central Park, of 337 hectares, offers beautiful lawns, but also rare species, such as the last large stand of American elm. The park is also popular with birdwatchers for its peregrine falcons(Falco peregrinus), which nest in the buildings along the park. Guided tours of the flora and fauna are organized regularly. Visit the Central Park website to learn more. The population of certain animals such as deer is closely monitored. It is recommended not to feed them. The same goes for the coyotes that can sometimes be seen in the Bronx.
New park projects
Despite this rich biodiversity, pollution is not without its effects. The city has lost around 24 orchid species since 1990, due to soil degradation. The creation of new islands of greenery is therefore more than welcome. The now-inescapable High Line Park, built on former railroad tracks, the disused southern section of the West Side Line in the Manhattan district, is a fine example of conversion. These hanging gardens, inspired by the coulée verte in Paris, are an ideal place to stroll or relax. Also in Meatpacking, the Little Island and Gansevoort Peninsula public parks, inaugurated in 2021 and 2023 respectively, bring a little greenery and freshness to this previously industrial district. Another interesting conversion project: the huge former Fresh Kills landfill, which was once home to the debris of 9/11, is being transformed into a park. The site, parts of which are already accessible, will eventually be three times the size of Central Park.
The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is a 51-kilometer bicycle and pedestrian path around the island of Manhattan. More or less developed in places, the Greenway comprises three main sections: the Hudson River Greenway, the most pleasant section, the East River Greenway, some sections of which are currently being developed, and the Harlem Greenway, which is also due to undergo some work.
Responsible eating
As in other large American cities, residents are increasingly sensitive to environmental issues. This is reflected in the number of farmer's markets where one can buy local products. There are now about 50 of them, the best known beingUnion Square. The second largest farmer's market is the one held every Sunday in Grand Army Plaza. It is also possible to buy produce directly from the farm, at the Eagle Street Rooftop Farm, a farm located on a building in Brooklyn. The most common organic supermarket chain is Whole Foods. There are many vegetarian restaurants, of all kinds (Asian, fast food, Italian...) and in most restaurants there is usually at least one vegetarian option. Even the city's new mayor, Eric Adams, is vegan!
Zero Waste" objective
Former mayor Bill de Blasio's "Zero Waste" plan to reduce landfill waste by 90% is far from being achieved by the end of his term, although his successor Eric Adams has set a target of 2030. Experimentation with organic waste collection, in particular, is faltering. The use of the brown garbage cans provided in some buildings is struggling to become a habit. At the same time, as part of the "NYC Compost Project", composters have been installed in various parks, along with awareness-raising workshops on the subject. These include the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, the Queens Botanical Garden and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on Staten Island. The city encourages people to buy second-hand and to reduce the use of plastic, especially packaging. To stock up on zero-waste accessories, visit the Package Free boutique in Brooklyn.
