It's been a difficult year for renewable energy and climate health advocates. Importantly, despite all the backsliding and lobbying that leads to more fossil foolishness alongside AI's enormous energy appetite, there is so much progress being made in NYC. At Green Map, we want everyone to know how they can be part of the solution, too!
Energy storage advances means solar power can be used on the spot. Our abundant waste heat can be used in a Thermal Energy Network - an example coming in 2026 pulls the subway's warmth up to heat the building above. Renewable energy job training programs abound. There are bold proposals for offshore wind as well as the potential for balcony-sized solar panels (the pending Sunny Act) like those popularized across Germany. The range of efficiency projects could be extended to include congestion pricing, electric conveyances and other mobility options.
So far, we're delighted to share a fresh look at Passive House buildings in NYC - super efficient and comfortable! bit.ly/PHBldg-NYC. Our summer intern, Simone Reckhaus, made this a reality, with thanks to the national database, Passive House Projects.
Simone also took part in the tours we organized for the National Community Gardeners conference. These and our tours for Jane's Walk, Open House New York, and the Loisaida Open Streets Coalition all helped contribute to our ideas about a participatory project around energy. Want to see the sites with us? Get in touch!
Right now, we are researching sites for the print map we expect to release around Earth Day, in Spanish and English. It's focused on our corner of the city, where so much is going on!
Invited to give a solar talk at the fab Pavilion in La Plaza Cultural in October, our director found many surprising facts about local energy projects - more to come in 2026! Watch our events page and join us for a tour, talk or map launch soon!
