#Global #mapping of city-level #economic #growth decoupling from #fossil #fuels

#OpenAccess
#NatureCities

"Cities seek to generate economic prosperity while reducing their dependence on fossil fuel combustion, yet tracking such progress at the city level remains challenging because of the limited and inconsistent emissions and economic data. Here we introduce an objective, globally consistent framework to measure decoupling between fossil fuel use and economic growth, either through reduced fuel use or shifts toward cleaner/more efficient combustion, proxied by tropospheric nitrogen dioxide columns combined with second-level administrative gross domestic product per capita based on purchasing power parity data. Analysing 5,435 cities globally over 2019–2024, we identify significant trends for 2,475 cities and classify them into 4 decoupling states. We find that 80% of these cities, mainly located in China, Europe and North America, enjoy relative decoupling, whereas 16%, mainly located in India and the Middle East, experience fossil fuel-dependent growth. Beyond these patterns, the described scalable satellite-based methodology can be revisited regularly to monitor city-level green growth and support urban policy effectiveness."

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44284-026-00440-0

What are Urban Blue Spaces? Or "UBS"?

These are the overlooked rivers, lakes and wetlands in cities. Researchers took a deep dive to find out more!

They surveyed 1,200 people in 4 cities in India and found foraging in these areas to be widespread, providing valuable food, income, culture, support, connections: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/3240.html?id=8007

Research in #NatureCities: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-025-00337-4

Recognizing the importance of foraging in #UBS can support more equitable, resilient urban food systems.

...und wenn unsere Vereinsmitglieder nicht gerade Sternegucken oder Rasenmähen, dann zählen sie Lichter. 💡 Und das mit vollem Erfolg: vergangene Woche sind die Ergebnisse des #citizienscience Projektes #nachtlichtbuehne in #naturecities veröffentlich worden! 📖 Und die #sternwartegoennsdorf steht mit auf der Autorenliste! 👉 https://www.nature.com/articles/s44284-025-00239-5#Abs1

Mehr Infos über das Projekt gibts hier: https://dx.doi.org/10.48440/gfz.1.4.2025.001
@skyglowberlin
#dresden #lichtverschmutzung

There are 8 #NightStudies articles in the new #NatureCities issue, here's a quick rundown.

First, an editorial from the journal about the importance of night in urban studies: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44284-025-00272-4 (1/8)

"Like most people, I initially did not notice that my hometown was saturated with murals and pieces, as well as hastily executed stencils, tags and throw-ups. But just like a gestalt image, once you shift your gaze towards the street, you start seeing them, and then there is no turning back."

How to love #graffiti — learning from #Bogotá | #NatureCities
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44284-023-00026-0