New York City: Success and Failure

New York, one of the largest cities in the world, has had both environmental successes and failures due to its high population density. The dense population and infrastructure limits the usage of automobiles and, as a result, increase the usage of public transportation. In fact, the city’s inhabitants facilitate the highest mass transit use in the United States. The city houses 2.7% of the nation’s population but only accounts for 1% of the greenhouse gas pollution. It is also one of the most energy-efficient cities in the United States, despite its massive population. For a city with more than 8 million people, New York has a relatively small footprint.

Smog in New York City

Unfortunately, even though New York’s environmental footprint is small compared to its population, the city still has a massive impact on the environment. The heavy air pollution caused by traffic has made Manhattan a county with third highest cancer risk in America. In addition, ozone and particle pollution is heavy from the smog. Finally, the enormous population has led to garbage disposal problems. However, the city government is fully aware of these problems and they have acted quickly in order to curb any further environmental damage. For example, New York now operates the largest hybrid-fueled bus fleet in the nation and plans for a biodiesel plant in Brooklyn has been announced. I hope to see the city government continue to work tirelessly to solve the environmental issues of the city.