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There are many steps people can take at home to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, like extreme heat, flooding, and drought.
Switching to cleaner energy sources and adding insulation to reduce heating and cooling needs collectively make a real difference. But when cities adopt sustainable strategies, the impact is much greater because they house over 80% of the U.S. population. Worldwide, cities are responsible for two-thirds of emissions. When cities add green space, incentivize solar energy, take steps to cut urban heat, and reduce flood risk, greenhouse gas emissions decrease. Plus, entire communities become more livable and even save money.
Adopting sustainable strategies takes both a willing government and community engagement. Education about green solutions is key to stirring up interest, so here are some ways any city can improve sustainability.
Adopt a climate action plan
A green or livable city action plan can be a blueprint for sustainable success. Plans can establish vision, identify stakeholders, set economic goals and performance deadlines, as well as cover everything from climate-resilient infrastructure, like roads and water systems, to energy efficiency to affordable housing to fair and accessible transportation.
Use better building codes
Buildings account for more than a quarter of energy use in the U.S., so embedding sustainability into building codes helps cities meet goals. This means creating rules and regulations for new buildings as well as for updating older structures. Seattle, for example, has instituted building codes for electric energy requirements and greenhouse gas reduction targets. Codes can also be used to incentivize sustainable measures like rooftop solar on newly built buildings.
Embrace smarter surfaces
Commonly used surfaces like dark pavement and roof shingles increase local temperatures. The surface temperature of a green roof, which has a layer of living plants kind of like a garden, can be 56°F lower than conventional roofs and can reduce nearby air temperatures by up to 20°F. Atlanta requires new commercial and residential construction to use lighter colored or highly reflective cool roof materials and estimates this will reduce the city’s overall temperature by 2.5°F with 80% coverage.
The Smart Surfaces Coalition says using heat-reducing green and reflective surfaces also improves public health and creates jobs—all while saving money.
Minimize flooding
For cities contending with climate-driven increased rainfall and flooding, rain gardens and other nature-based stormwater solutions help with flood prevention and management, all while enhancing local biodiversity. Rain gardens are depressed areas in the landscape intentionally planted with wildlife-friendly grasses and flowering plants. They collect rainwater from a roof, driveway, or street, filtering it and allowing it to soak into the ground.
Permeable pavement is another solution. It has gaps that allow excess water to filter through and into the underlying soil, instead of being blocked by traditional pavement and running off into and overflowing storm drains.
Plant trees
Extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods each year. Something as simple as one very shady tree can be a lifesaver, reducing street temperatures by up to 10°F. Trees also clean air and safeguard from strong storms, all while housing birds and beneficial insects and boosting mental well-being.
Electrify city vehicle fleets
Public transportation is a must for any sustainable city, along with walkable streets and bike paths. But transportation fleets can pollute the air. That’s why New York City has set a goal of electrifying its municipal fleet by 2035, including cars, vans, pickup trucks, street sweepers, and sanitation vehicles. Doing so will cut down on emissions, improve air quality, and save money. All cities can follow suit, and some states offer incentives, including grants and rebates, for transitioning to zero-emission fleets.
Launch city-wide composting
In 1996, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to kick off a city composting program. Its benefits include reduced methane emissions, reduced waste, water conservation, and enriched soil for local agriculture, including farms and gardens. Other cities, big and small, have since initiated composting programs with similar success. City programs should not allow “compostable” plastic bags, which can contain hazardous chemicals and be as toxic as conventional plastic.
Sustainable cities and communities of color
Extreme heat poses significant health risks, especially for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations like children, older adults, people with pre-existing health conditions, as well as Black, Latino, and economically disadvantaged communities. Transitioning to clean energy supports cleaner air and healthier communities.
Adopting smarter surfaces provides similar results, according to one analysis of surfaces at San Francisco International Airport that showed that large areas of dark, impervious surfaces trap heat and stormwater, making airports hotter and more prone to flooding. Using more sustainable surfaces protects the health and comfort of outdoor workers.
Get involved
Gather a group of interested neighbors and tell your elected officials and town environmental conservation boards why adopting sustainable measures is critical to the health of all city dwellers. If they have questions, share useful resources to help them make the necessary changes.
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Released: September 2025