04 Jun EcoBits June 4th – June 11th, 2015: Austin Has a New Climate Plan, Zero Waste Tips, and CapMetro Updgrades
This week, she summarizes the second half of the report, explaining in three short videos the state of Austin's trees, open spaces, and air. Watch. Learn. Enjoy!
[AEN News] We have a new intern! Emma VanDelinder will be joining us for the summer as a reporting intern, so if you see her at a city council meeting or community event, be sure to say hello.
A little bit about Emma: She is a senior at the University of Missouri in Columbia studying print and digital journalism with interests in education and the environment.
A native Austinite, she is excited to dip her feet in the environmental pool with Austin EcoNetwork in a city that she has grown up in and seen rapidly develop. As a reporting intern, she hopes to gain experience and knowledge by interacting with and learning about the environmental community in Austin.Learn more about Emma>>
[Climate Change] The Austin Community Climate Plan has officially been approved. City Council voted 8 – 2 to approve the plan (which sets Austin on a path toward zero greenhouse gas emissions) earlier today at their council meeting. The two opposing votes came from council members Don Zimmerman (District 6) and Ellen Troxclair (District 8).
Need a refresher on what's in the plan? Be sure to check out our latest podcast.
[Food] Food systems are complex. They involve a lot of players and affect a lot of people, but most of us only ever see the food on the shelf. In his latest blog, AEN contributor Timothy Boston takes us behind the scenes, uncovering the hidden cost of food. You can read his blog here>>
To supplement his reporting for this story, Timothy sat down with Edwin Marty, Austin's Food Policy Manager, to talk about the city's recently released "State of the Food System" report. The report provides an overview of Austin's food system, so that the city can ensure a more sustainable and equitable one in the future. You can read the report here>>
[Recycling/Zero Waste]Registration is now open for the "Creating Value Through Zero Waste Workshop and Training Series," hosted by the City of Austin and the US Zero Waste Business Council. Here's the schedule:
- June 17th – Zero Waste Business Associate Scorecard Training Course. This 6-hour course will provide students with an overview of the US Zero Waste Business Scorecard Certification System.
- June 18th – Zero Waste 101 Workshop. This introductory workshop is for businesses just starting their recycling program, or for those wanting to take it to the next level. Attendees will learn how to measure and reduce their waste.
- June 19th – Austin Zero Waste Food Forum. The forum is for professionals, students, schools, organizations, and businesses who know that composting is good but recognize the need to do more. The Austin Forum will be a one-day event to focus on higher solutions to food waste for businesses, schools, and organizations.
Attendees can sign up to attend one, two, or all three days. Early bird discounts end on June 10th. More info>>
[Recycling/Zero Waste] Austin is working to eliminate waste! Austin Resource Recovery's goal is to reach zero waste by 2040, which means reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills by 90 percent.
To help reach that goal, Austin Resource Recovery offers a Home Composting Rebate program. Austin residents are eligible for up to $75 off the purchase of a new home composting system. They just need to follow these two easy steps:
- Take a class – Austin Resource Recovery offers FREE 15 minute online home composting classes, as well as in-personcommunity classes at local farmers markets.
- Save money – After completing the class, Austinites can choose to either buy their own home composting system using a $75 voucher at select retailers, or buy their system wherever they'd like and then apply for a $75 rebate. More info>>
[Recycling/Zero Waste] And if you're looking for more great composting tips, be sure to visit the Compost Pedallers' Blog. It's bursting with motivational stories and priceless advice from a great group of composting pros.Check it out here>>
[Water] Save the date! The Imagine Austin Speaker Series continues this month with a conversation featuring Greg Meszaros, the Director of Austin Water Utility. Meszaros will be speaking about climate change and water planning, as well as ways to ensure that Central Texas has a safe and secure water supply for years to come. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 24th at 6:30pm at the George Washington Carver Museum. More info>>
[Green Design] June 7th is the last day to register for the Natural Builder Summer Intensive Earthbag Blitz Workshop. Learn to build your own natural and permaculturally-designed home with earthbag, cob, strawbale and light-straw from June 27th – July 5th at the Earth Native Wilderness School in Bastrop. Come all 9 days or just the 2 weekends. Register here>>
[Transportation] Capital Metro announced some major upgrades to its system maps this week, making them much simpler and easier to use. The new maps highlight the routes that run the most often, so customers can get where they want to go faster than ever. You can check out the new maps here>>
[Transportation] MobilityATX, an online
[Volunteer] Keep Austin Beautiful's Lady Bird Lake Cleanup is on June 13th and they're looking for volunteers. Cleanup sites
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