25 Sep EcoBits Sept. 25 – Oct. 2: Elections!, Uber/Lyft, Climate Action, and More…

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Over the last week Austin EcoNetwork staff, volunteers, and Brad Love of Angel Productions have put in a TON of work to help you learn more about the candidates running for Austin City Council and Mayor. Here's what we have created so far:
  • 4,447 cells of data in a searchable candidate tool
  • 90 new pages on our website (you can't see them yet)
  • 43 video taped candidate interviews
As of next week's EcoNews you will have access to all of it!

We are offering special advertising packages during the election season that will help us fund all this work and earn your program or company additional exposure. We promise you're going to like it and the media can't wait to get their hands on it. Request a packet from Brandi NOW to reserve your ads.

There is still more to do if you want to help volunteer! We have a variety of election-related volunteer opportunities available. Many can be done from home too! Email Brandi to start a dialogue and explore ways you can get involved.

 

A march was held in Austin this week to show solidarity with the People's Climate March in New York City.[Climate Change] It was a BIG  week for action on climate change. Four hundred thousand people showed up in New York Cityon Sunday for the People's Climate March, making it the largest climate march in history. And in Austin, 450 people marched through the streets of downtown to show solidarity with the thousands in New York City also trying to raise awareness of the public's support for action on this serious issue. 

 

A press conference was held on Tuesday at City Hall about the impacts of climate change on Latinos.

[Climate Change]Community leaders gathered in Austin's City Hall earlier this week to call attention to the impact of climate change on Latinos. The focus of attention was on a report issued by the American Association for the Advancement of Science entitled, "What We Know," which highlights evidence of regional climate impacts, such as increasing rates of respiratory illness like childhood asthma, record wildfires and drought, and extreme flooding. These issues can disproportionately affect Latinos who are more likely to live in underserved and flood prone areas. You can watch a video of the press conference (in Spanish) here>>
 

Houston Mayor Anise Parker pledged to lower the city's greenhouse gas emissions.[Climate Change] Other cities are following in Austin's footsteps and establishing aggressive climate protection goals of their very own. This week, the mayors of Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and New York City all made pledges to dramatically reduce their city's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In Houston, mayor Anise Parker announced that the city will lower its emissions by 80 percent from 2005 levels.You can learn more about Parker's plans to combat climate change in Houston here>> 

 

Austin just received an EPA grant to develop its green infrastructure.[Climate Change] Austin has just received a grantfrom the Environmental Protection Agency to help the city develop green infrastructure and improve climate resiliency. Austin was one of just five cities to receive this grant through the EPA's Greening America's Capitals program and will now be receiving assistance in designing options to improve pedestrian and bike connections in the the South Central Waterfront area and in incorporating green infrastructure that reduces stormwater runoff and localized flooding, improves water quality, and increases shade. You can learn more here>>

 

The Austin Post created a hyperlapse video of Austin's proposed rail line.[Transportation] There's been a lot of talk lately about the merits of this rail line vs. that rail line, but the routes are still so abstract that it can be a little difficult to get a real handle on the issue. Thankfully, the Austin Post has swooped in for the rescue, creating a time lapse video of a person driving (and sailing) along the entire route of the currently proposed rail line. In November, this route will be on the ballot as part of Prop 1 and it will be up to the voters to decide whether or not the city should take out a $600 million bond to build it. With a decision as big as that, one thing is true. This video is a must see.

 

Austin B-Cycle is looking to expand.

[Transportation] Austin's bike share program is looking to expand. The City of Austin has applied to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) for $4 million in federal transportation funds that would go toward Austin B-cycle. If approved, the funds would triple the size of B-cycle and bring stations into new neighborhoods. The CAMPO board is voting on the request at its Oct. 13th meeting and is asking forpublic input beforehand through this survey>>
 

The Pease Park Master Plan will go before the full city council on October 16th.[Parks] The Pease Park Master Plan has been recommended by the Austin Parks and Recreation Board for approval by city council. The unanimous decision by the board officially completes the boards and commissions approval process and allows the master plan to move forward for a decision by the full city council at its Oct. 16th meeting. You can learn exactly what the master plan has in store for the future of Pease Park here>>

 

Learn how to care for your Fall leaves.[Fall Leaves] Did you know that grass clippings, leaves, and other yard debris make up 20 percent of the trash that Texans send to the landfill each year? Help to stop the madness byincorporating fallen leaves into your lawn,instead of simply throwing them in the trash. Here are a few tips about how to do that from the TCEQ:

  • Mowing – a light covering of leaves can be mowed, simply leaving the shredded leaves in place on the lawn. This technique is most effective when a mulching mower is used.
  • Mulching –a lawn mower with a bagging attachment provides a fast and easy way to shred and collect the leaves. Apply a three to four inch layer of shredded leaves around the base of trees and shrubs. A two to three inch mulch of shredded leaves is ideal for flower beds. For vegetable gardens, a thick layer of leaves placed between the rows functions as a mulch and an all-weather walkway that will allow you to work in your garden during wet periods.
  •  Composting – in addition to leaves, other yard wastes such as grass clippings, pine needles, weeds, and small prunings can be composted. Compost can serve as a soil conditioner that nourishes your yard and reduces the need for outdoor watering by up to 60 percent.
  • Soil Improvement – leaves may be collected and worked directly into garden and flower bed soils. A six to eight inch layer of leaves tilled into a heavy, clay soil will improve aeration and drainage. The same amount tilled into a light, sandy soil, will improve water and nutrient holding capacity. 

Or, if you live in the city of Austin and your trash is picked up by Austin Resource Recovery, you can gather your Fall leaves and yard scraps and put them into either a lawn-and-leaf kraft paper bagor a reusable container that is no larger than 34-gallons and no heavier than 50 pounds. Then simply put them at your curb on your trash pick-up day andAustin Resource Recovery will pick them up and turn them into compost. 
 

Even with last week's rains, it will still be a while before the Highland Lakes are full.

[Water] Last week Austin got a lot of rain. According to KXAN, some parts of Travis County received 6 to 7 inches and a torrential downpour over Mansfield Dam left behind four inches of rain in one hour! But, as StateImpact Texas reports, it's not time to celebrate an end to the drought just yet. In a story with the slightly terrifying title, "It Will Take an Insane Amount of Rain Before the Highland Lakes Recover," the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) predicted that it will take a series of rain events adding up to a total of 15 to 20 inches of rainfall in order to even begin to see meaningful improvements in Austin's water supply. As explained in the article, that's because the ground in Central Texas has gotten so dry from years of prolonged drought, that when when it actually does rain, the thirsty ground soaks at lot of it up before the water even has a chance to run off into a reservoir. You can listen to the full story here>>
 

Austin Energy has released a counter proposal to the Austin Generation Resource Planning Task Force Report.[Energy] And speaking of scary headlines, today'sAustin-American Statesmanopened up with this bit of news – "Energy target may cost $1 billion." The article talks about yesterday's city council committee meeting on Austin Energy, at which the utility responded to the recommendations made by the Austin Generation Resource Planning Task Force, as well as the two clean energy resolutions that were passed by city council on August 28th. According to the utility's cost estimates, if they pursue the goal of going greenhouse gas emission-free by 2030, it could cost them nearly $1 billion over 10 years. Austin Energy also officially offered an alternative plan on Wednesday that would involve building a new gas plant at Decker. To learn more about Austin Energy's proposal, you can look through their entire presentation here>>

And for an insider's look at yesterday's meeting, as well as a rundown of the meeting's major climate wins and losses, check out Al Braden's blog here>> 
 

The National Wildlife Federation is hosting a series of Habitat Talks this Fall.[Wildlife] The National Wildlife Federation is hosting a series of Habitat Talks this Fall to teach you how to become better habitat stewards. The first class will be held on Oct. 11at the Discovery Hill Outdoor Learning Center, a demonstration habitat at the Science and Health Resource Center in Austin ISD. Topics to be covered will include Fall maintenance, seed collection, and suggested plantings for your very own habitat garden. Learn more about Habitat Talks, as well as the amazing Discovery Hill Outdoor Learning Center, with AEN's latest blog, available here>>

 

The City of Austin is updating its master plan for the city's cemeteries.[Green Burials] For the next two months, the City of Austin is seeking thecommunity's feedback on Burial options and cemeteries. The City of Austin is currently developing a Master Plan for its five historic cemeteries: Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery Annex, and Plummers Cemetery. The project team is investigating potential new cemetery services, such as new interment options (includinggreen/natural burial, or columbaria or scatter gardens for cremated remains), as well as new programs and activities that could bring citizens into city cemeteries on a regular basis. You are invited to share your opinions via two short surveys:

 

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