City Climate Corner

Latest Episodes:

Youth Episode - Laramie WY Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

We interview three young people who, as University of Wyoming students, were a key part of Laramie's climate action efforts. Hear from Chelsea Taylor, Jarad O'Brien, and Zach Isler about their projects, their impact on Laramie, and the "town-gown" relationship that is developing between the University and Laramie.

To hear Laramie's powerful story of climate action in coal country, check out our 10th episode from early July.

Note - we're taking a short summer vacation break from general episodes this week, but will be back on Aug 31st with our next city episode.

Resources

Article - Students as Change Agents for Community–University Sustainability Transition Partnerships, by Rachael Budowle

Lexington MA: Efficient Buildings and Electrification Aug 03, 2021

Show notes

Over a decade ago Lexington adopted a stretch energy code for buildings. Then about 20% better than the existing code, this stretch code was adopted statewide and eventually in 47 other states. Now Lexington has built several all electric buildings and is looking to do more, including ban new fossil fuel infrastructure. We interview Lexington Select Board Member Mark Sandeen about his and Lexington's years of leadership and learn how a small town can have a big impact.

Resources

Lexington’s Sustainable Action Plan
Lexington’s Getting to Net Zero roadmap
Sustainable Lexington Committee
WBUR story on Lexington's efforts to ban fossil fuel infrastructure

Ann Arbor MI: Net Zero by 2030! Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

About a year ago Ann Arbor adopted an audacious plan of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 with a total investment of $1 billion. This is faster than just about any other city in the country. We speak with Missy Stults, Ann Arbor's Sustainability and Innovations Manager, about the plan, how Ann Arbor is doing so far, and how they're going to achieve their goal.

Resources

A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality home page for Ann Arbor
A2ZERO week - 1 year anniversary celebration
Smart Cities Dive article on Ann Arbor's adoption of A2ZERO

Laramie WY: Coal Country Climate Action Jul 06, 2021

Show notes

39% of the nation's coal comes from Wyoming. Yet there are some strong local movements for renewable energy and climate action. Learn how a unique and powerful coalition of climate activists, university students, and city officials inspired Laramie's recent commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. We interview Monika Leininger of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, Professor Rachael Budowle of the University of Wyoming, and Laramie City Council member Brian Harrington.

Resources

Laramie Resolution committing to carbon neutrality by 2050
Article about Laramie's resolution
Alliance for Renewable Energy - Laramie organization
Powder River Basin Resource Council
Excellent High Country News article summarizing local climate efforts in Wyoming
Article - Students as Change Agents for Community–University Sustainability Transition Partnerships, by Rachael Budowle

Tacoma WA: Declaring a Climate Emergency Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

In December 2019, Tacoma Washington, in coordination with the Puyallup Tribe, declared a climate emergency. We examine why they did it and how it has been a springboard for more aggressive climate goals and an increased focus on climate justice. We interview Patrick Babbitt from the City of Tacoma and Emma Keese from Citizens for a Healthy Bay which has led much of the community outreach for Tacoma.

Resources

Tacoma Climate Emergency Resolution: Press Release and Resolution text (Resolution 40509 starting on page 28)
Puyallup Tribe Climate Emergency Resolution: Press Release and Resolution text
Tacoma citizen groups
- Environmental Justice Leaders Workgroup
- Climate Action Ambassadors
Citizens for a Healthy Bay (Emma Keese's org)
Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative

NAACP and Climate Justice Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

The NAACP has created comprehensive tools that cities can learn from and leverage in service of climate justice. We interview Jacqui Patterson, Senior Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice program. Having run the program since its inception in 2009, Jacqui shares examples of cities that have used some of their tools as well as an inspiring vision of a climate justice community.

Resources

Boulder CO: Neighborhood climate action plans May 25, 2021

Show notes

Boulder Colorado is embarking on a hyper-local neighborhood-based approach to climate action. We interview Boulder Sustainability Coordinator Elizabeth Vasatka, and climate activist David Takahashi, about an exciting new program to get residents involved and create social capital in the process.

Resources

Accelerate Neighborhood Climate Action (ANCA) website
Boulder ANCA effort
More ANCA info from ICA, one of three founding partner organizations
Sample ANCA forum document
ANCA Denver Facebook page
The Keeling Curve - website
Charles David Keeling -wikipedia entry

Fayetteville AR: Bike City May 11, 2021

Show notes

In February 2021 Fayetteville was the first city in the US to be awarded the designation of Bike City by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body of cycling. We talk with Dane Eifling, Fayetteville's Mobility Coordinator, about their approach to cycling infrastructure in this northwest Arkansas city of about 85,000 people.

Make sure to check out our bonus youth episode, where you'll learn the story of our unique podcast music.

Resources

Bicycle Fayetteville info
Fayetteville's Active Transportation Plan
Bike City on UCI website page
Fayetteville's Energy Action Plan
Fayetteville's Response to Climate Change

Youth Episode - Fayetteville AR May 11, 2021

Show notes

We interview 17-year old Amelia Southern about her path to climate justice activism in Fayetteville, that includes a Miami influence. And we reveal the source of our podcast music!

For more information about Fayetteville, check out episode 6.

Resources

Zero Hour Arkansas
Zero Hour - National organization

Goshen IN: Climate Action with a Conservative City Council Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Goshen is a northern Indiana city of 35,000 people that has had a Republican majority City Council and a Democratic mayor for decades. Yet they've made strong progress on climate action. Learn how (hint - young people played a significant role).

Check out our bonus youth episode where we talk to one of the student leaders that helped inspire the Council to action.

Resources

Goshen Climate Action Planning webpage
Climate Action Plan presentation to City Council - June 2020
Mayor Stutsman's letter to City Council establishing Dept of Environmental Resilience
Ordinance establishing the Department of Environmental Resilience
Goshen greenhouse gas emission inventories (city operations and community)

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