New York City's Council Passed a Climate Mobilization Act to Deal with Climate Change. Atlanta can Do the Same.

New York City's Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act in April 2019, which creates a package of steps for the city to reach carbon neutrality and 100 percent clean energy by 2050. It also looks at other relevant issues with regards to New York City's energy profile and the state's wider environmental policy.

Key among those provisions is a requirement that large buildings install energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems. The Act also notes energy efficient insulated windows are a top priority. To make this possible, the Act authorizes PACE funding for buildings willing to invest in renewable energy systems, thereby helping to manage some of the cost of retrofits.

The legislation also requires new builds to adopt green roofs, that is that they should have plants, solar panels and/or small wind turbines. It also looks to expand tax abatement for property owners who adopt green roofs to some $15 per square foot.

If New York City can do this, so can Atlanta - and every other city in the United States.