Seattle becomes the first major U.S. city to ban plastic straws
Seattle has become the first major city in the U.S. to ban plastic straws and utensils. Businesses that don’t comply with the ban can now face a $250 fine.
Cities
Tokyo announces plan to install solar roads in time for 2020 Olympics
Japan has decided to continue the introduction of solar roads on government owned property, and will more likely focus on parking lots.
Philippine city of Mandaluyong passes law against LGBT discrimination
The Philippine city of Mandaluyong has approved an ordinance to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from discrimination, the latest in a slew of local laws passed across the country.
Stockton, CA becomes first U.S. city to test universal basic income
Stockton, Calif., hopes to become an exhibition ground for fighting poverty with a simple yet unorthodox experiment: giving $500 a month in donated cash to perhaps 100 local families, no strings attached.
Nine African cities commit to reaching zero carbon by 2050
Accra, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, Lagos, Dakar, Durban, Tshwane, Johannesburg, and Cape Town have pledged to reach zero carbon in 30 years.
Two thirds of E.U. cities have climate change plans
66% of EU cities have a mitigation or adaptation plan in place. The top countries were Poland — where 97% of cities have mitigation plans — Germany (81%), Ireland (80%), Finland (78%) and Sweden (77%).
Seattle passes new tax on city’s biggest companies to combat housing crisis
The tax will raise $45 million a year over the five-year life of the tax to build more affordable housing and support services for the homeless.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan plans for city to go ‘zero carbon’ by 2050
The strategy, first released for consultation last summer, envisions London becoming a ‘zero carbon’ city by mid-century, boasting cleaner air and more green space.
Seattle vacates hundreds of marijuana charges going back 30 years
The City of Seattle on Friday filed a motion asking the court to vacate hundreds of marijuana possession convictions going back three decades and adversely impacting people of color.
Baltimore mayor signs bill banning foam containers
The bill signed Thursday gives businesses 18 months to stop using containers made from this material, commonly called Styrofoam.