Urban centers continued to emerge as centers of green innovation and reasons for cautious optimism During the closing days of 2016, it may feel pretty challenging to find an optimistic take on the fight to combat climate change. Recent news about spiking Arctic temperature and the policy preferences of the incoming Trump administration don?t inspire confidence. Neither does the fact that 2016 is on track to be the hottest year in recorded history. And while the big picture view seems less than rosy, focusing on national and international stories may obscure the important advances being made on the city and local level.
This was the year when cities and urban areas were finally, truly embraced for being testing grounds for environmental improvements, as opposed to dirty, pollution-spewing centers of industry. Part of this has to do with a changing economy and globalized manufacturing, but a much bigger part of it has to do with the wealth of focused, local action on community improvements, and the creation of denser, healthier, more walkable neighborhoods. Cities produce the majority of the world?s pollution, and also stand on the front lines of climate-related issues such as sea level rise, transportation, air pollution, and green energy, and increasingly, they?re fighting for a better way forward. Here are some of the highlights from a big year for cities and climate change.

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Solar panels in Shanghai

Cities are reaping the rew...