The result is the Austin Community Climate Plan, a report that recommends a series of actions across several different focus areas, including electricity and natural gas, transportation and land use, materials and waste management, and industrial processes. The report also shows how the plan will affect different constituencies, making the case that a future without greenhouse gas emissions will benefit everyone. 

The plan is important, both because of its breadth and ambition, and therefore needs community input and support. That's why the Office of Sustainability is asking the public to submit any comments they have about the plan to sustainability@austintexas.gov, but time is running out! All comments are due by the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, April 10th. You can read through the entire report here>>
 

[Climate Change] Climate change affects more than just polar bears and environmentalists. Because of its negative impact on public health, climate change has the potential to affect everyone. Earlier this week, representatives from the Obama administration made this connection between public health and climate change at a special round table discussion with Mayor Steve Adler and several other local health professionals and thought-leaders. Learn more about what they had to say with Amy Stansbury's latest blog>>

[Outdoors] Wildflower season continues, so this week we have even more flower-viewing tips to share with you all. 

Plus, according to Parks and Wildlife, this is one of the best wildflower years Central Texas has had in a long time, so be sure not to miss it!

[Outdoors/Parks] Help an

• Battle Bend Park Basketball Court Renovation – Upgrade the popular basketball court at Battle Bend Neighborhood Park with new backboards and rims, court surface upgrades, new benches and a new high efficiency lighting.
• House Among the Trees at Zilker Park – There is nothing closer to nature than a house among the trees!  Give Austin’s kids a chance to explore nature in a treehouse complete with swinging walkways, climbing ramps and split-level platforms.
• Nature Play at Dove Springs District Park – Help connect Austin’s children with nature through nature-based play.  New nature-play features at Dove Springs Park will include a boulder tunnel, council ring and slide hill. 

The park with the most votes gets the big prize, and voting lasts until the end of April. You can cast your vote here>>
 

[Earth Month] It's April, which means Earth Month is officially here! The Austin Public Library is celebrating with 30 days of eco-related programming at several of its branches all around town, and the best part is, it's all free! They're calling it the Talk Green to Me Sustainable Living Series and the Austin EcoNetwork is a partner, along with several other great community organizations, including the Sustainable Food Center, The Dumpster Project, Keep Austin Beautiful, the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, and Compost Pedallers. Check out the full calendar of events here>>