23 Jul EcoBits July 23rd – July 30th, 2015: The Promise to End Climate Change, New Podcast, Tips for Apartment Recycling

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[Transportation] It's human nature. We don't like to be uncomfortable. We don't always like to try new things. That's a problem for public transportation, because it's pretty difficult to get a city full of people to ride the bus when no one is even willing to give it a try in the first place. In our latest AEN podcast, Editor Amy Stansbury visits a company that has decided to do the unthinkable – convince their employees to give up their parking spaces, and ride the bus to work instead. You can listen to the podcast here>>
 

Saving the Planet is Not Hard - It's Just Different[Climate Change] Saving the planet is not hard; it's just different. That is the bold statement made by Austinite Janis Bookout, who has made it her business to end climate change. With her newly published and inspiring blog, Janis promises to end global warming so that her young children can lead healthy, happy lives. But she can't do it alone, and so with a stirring call to action, she asks community members, business leaders, politicians, and even you to help her keep her promise and start fighting climate change now. You can read her entire blog here>>

 

Austin Creative Reuse just signed a lease on a Creative Reuse Center.[Recycling/Zero Waste] Austin Creative Reuse has just signed a lease on a brick and mortar Creative Reuse Center! The center will be located at The Linc shopping center off I-35 in Suite 1801 and will open sometime this fall.


The new center will:
  • provide a place to teach upcycling craft workshops
  • store salvaged items that have been rescued from the landfill so that they can be used by other artists in new projects
  • serve as a gallery space for exhibiting upcycled works of art
But before any of these things can happen, Austin Creative Reuse needs lots of volunteers to get the center up and running. If you're interested in getting involved, sign up for Austin Creative Reuse's volunteernewsletter.
 

[Recycling/Zero Waste] Live in an apartment complex or condo? Then you probably already know that recycling can be a bit of a challenge, especially if your property manager is not on board. Luckily, Austin Resource Recovery is here to help. Their latest blog,"5 Tips for Easy Recycling in Your Apartment or Condo," reminds Austinites that starting October 1st, all apartment buildings with 10 units or more will be required to provide their residents with access to recycling.

The blog also lays out several tips to help you make the most of this new access, including:

 

Edwin Marty is the City of Austin's first sustainable food policy manager.[Recycling/Zero Waste] It's about time you met Edwin Marty, Austin's first ever sustainable food policy manager. The Compost Pedallers recently sat down with Edwin and interviewed him about his exciting plans for the city. Here are some of his big ideas:

  • Neighborhood food system planning – a hyper-localized method of mapping out the best food route forward for each distinct part of the city. The plan is to lay out each neighborhood's food assets and conduct interviews and forums with residents so that priorities are developed to best serve the local population.
  • Minimize potential speed bumps that might come with universal commercial composting in Austin – ideas include bringing in compost pulpers, establishing shared composting systems for neighboring businesses, and fostering partnerships between grocery stores and restaurants so that less food goes to waste
  • Explore the possibility of using vacant city lots as community composting hubs

 

Austin Energy Green Building's Green by Design Workshop returns next month.[Green Design] Austin Energy Green Building's popular Green by Design Workshop returns this August. The three-part series teaches attendees how to build, remodel, or buy green homes that improve energy and water efficiency, increase comfort, and reduce maintenance.


The three session topics are:

All of the sessions will be held at the Norris Conference Center from 7pm to 9pm. Participants can choose to attend one, two, or all three sessions for only $25, but advance registration is required. More info>>
 

[Green Design] Together with Preservation Austin,TreeHouse is hosting a special educational series this month dedicated to educating the public about retrofitting old homes with energy-efficient upgrades. The three-part series is called, "Greening Your Vintage Home," and it covers sustainable design, energy efficiency, and landscaping. There is only one class left (July 25th) and it costs $15. More info>>
 

After tabling the Decker Lake golf course proposal, city council is looking at economic development opportunities in East Austin.[Water] Here's an update on the controversial proposal to build golf courses near Decker Lake (which was indefinitely tabled by city council back in May). Originally the proposal stirred a lot of debate over its potential impact on water resources and the economy, particularly in East Austin.


This week, the Austin American-Statesman reported that in light of city council's decision to table the golf course debate, a working group has been formed to figure out how to stimulate some much-needed economic growth in East Austin. The members of the working group are Mayor Adler and council members Ora Houston (D1), Sabino "Pio" Renteria (D3), Leslie Pool (D7), and Ellen Troxclair (D8). Stay tuned, because the working group is planning on holding a public forum in September to solicit public feedback on economic development opportunities in East Austin.
 

Volunteers are still needed to clean up after the Memorial Day floods.[Volunteer] The devastating Memorial Day floods are still wreaking havoc in Hays County and volunteers and donations are needed now more than ever. As the Austin American-Statesman reports, volunteers are still needed to help rebuild homes that were destroyed during the floods. Donations of cleaning supplies and construction materials are also still being accepted. 


How to help:

 

Check out these hiking safety tips![Outdoors] The summer is a great time to get out there and explore Austin's many hike and bike trails. But, as Austin-Travis County EMS reminds us, it's alsoimportant to be safe, so they've compiled this list of tips to keep you happy and healthy on the trails all summer long.


Here are some of the key points:
  • Bring plenty of extra water, and remember to drink it!
  • Wear sunscreen and a hat.
  • Wear appropriate, closed-toe footwear.
  • While on more rugged, secluded trails, remember to hike with a friend.
  • Carry at least one light source, even if you begin your hike during the day. After all, you never know what could happen and it's always best to be prepared!

 

[Outdoors] The Purple Martins are back! Each year, thousands of these birds roost in Austin during their annual migration to South America. But, after years of roosting at the Highland Mall, the Purple Martins have moved this year to the Capital Plaza Shopping Center on the 5400 block of I-35.

Every Friday and Saturday night at 7:45pm from July 10th to August 1st Travis Audubon will be celebrating the arrival of these amazing birds with free Purple Martin parties at the shopping center. Anyone wishing to attend should bring a lawn chair and some excitement. Travis Audubon says that these parties are better than watching the Congress Avenue bats! More info>> 

 

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