Grab Your $6,000 Solar Rebate While You Still Can!

Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 09:43:36 AM EST

by Mike Barrette, Vice President, DC Sun

Re-Posted from DC Sun Blog

Now is the time to get in line for a DC Solar Rebate – before the funding is gone!  Prices of solar panels are at an all-time low, making the decision to go solar a great long-term investment.  A recent comparison of solar costs in the District indicates that the return on investment from installing solar panels varies from 6-10%.  The existing 30% Federal tax credit, along with renewable energy credits that accrue with your solar project, make the economics of solar very favorable.

Strengthening the economic case for solar even more is the District government’s rebate program.  These DC rebates are designed to encourage renewable energy and foster a new homegrown industry (jobs in DC!!).  If you are able to get in on the DC solar rebate, your rate of return rises into the double digits, and your initial investment can be paid back in 6-7 years.  For many DC homeowners on the fence about going solar, the DC rebate is the incentive that motivates them to move forward.  Below, I examine your chances of getting a DC solar rebate – and it looks like time is running out!

As background, realize that the DC rebate program is a four-year program, which is now in its last year. DC is authorized to release $2 million dollars this year for rebates.  Rebates for a typically-sized system are about $6,000.  Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis from a waiting list that you can join on the DDOE Website.

Last week, I asked the DC Department of the Environment for an update on their progress for releasing those funds now that we are one quarter of the way through the fiscal year.  It is important that these projects continue to be funded at a rapid pace, otherwise the program will expire before funding is released to those on the waiting list.  DDOE reports as follows:

•  $25,000 has been paid out (5 requestors have received checks)
• $598,000 are in the final approval stages (86 requestors will receive checks soon)
• 383 additional projects are on the waiting list.
• DDOE reports that usually about 40% of those that submit the initial application actually decide drop out of the process.

Projections

• Assuming that 230 of the 383 people on the waiting list are funded at an average of $6,000, then the full $2 million will be expended and new entrants to the waiting list will not be funded.
• If the average rebate award and/or the acceptance rates are higher, some at the bottom of the existing waiting list may not receive funding from the $2 million pot.
• If the average rebate or acceptance rate is lower, new entrants to the waiting list may get funding (so act fast and get your name on the list). 

What If You Miss Out???

• It is possible that the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) will add funding for additional solar rebates – they added a small amount last year.
• Community activists with DC SUN are calling upon the DC Council, Mayor, Department of Environment, and the SEU to work together to renew the DC solar rebate program for another four years.
• DC SUN’s proposal is discussed in this blog post.

To help demonstrate the effectiveness and interest in this program, DC SUN urges residents to put their names on the DC Renewable Energy Incentive Program Waiting List (Click Here for a step-by-step guide on how to reserve your place the list).  This will help in our effort to get this great job creating program back on track for those residents that were not able to participate in the first four years of the program.  Because the solar rebate program is funded by electricity surcharges that are NOT scheduled to go away, DC SUN thinks that the extension of the program is an important way to promote a sustainable future for DC — a future that involves renewable power coming from the people of the City.

Rock Creek Sustainability

Wed Dec 28, 2011 at 01:57:16 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

All metro Washington area environmentalists and others are welcome to our monthly brown-bag networking opportunity!

On January 5^th at Noon at Global Green USA (1100 15^th Street NW, 11^th Floor), please join the DC Environmental Network and Rock Creek Conservancy for a discussion of the many issues facing Rock Creek. Rock Creek Conservancy Executive Director, Beth Mullin, will lead a discussion about your interest in or activities related to the park, and your ideas about how we can work together to take advantage of opportunities and promote sustainability for this vital green space in the heart of the DC metro area. Tara Morrison, Rock Creek Park Superintendent, will also be participating in the discussion. The Superintendent will give us updates on Rock Creek Park.

Please RSVP Here if you would like to attend this discussion.

Background:

“Location, location, location.” Rock Creek is a natural treasure, just a walk or metro ride away for millions of people, many of whom care deeply about the 5,000 acres of parkland that border the creek and its tributaries in DC and Montgomery County. This is both a threat and an opportunity.  The surrounding development creates a green island in a sea of pavement, subject to polluted runoff, sewage overflows, stream bank erosion, damage to fish and wildlife habitat, and invasive species, including vines that kill trees.

At the same time, there are wonderful opportunities for recreation, relaxation, education, community-based environmental stewardship, and engendering a love of nature and history in the next generation.

Rock Creek Conservancy (formerly FORCE–Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment) is dedicated to protecting and restoring Rock Creek and its waters, parks, and lands.  Multiple agencies, non-governmental organizations, property owners, and groups—including many DC Environmental Network members–also have an interest in Rock Creek.

Beth’s Bio:

Beth first joined Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment (now Rock Creek Conservancy) as a volunteer working to protect her local creek, the Pinehurst Branch tributary of Rock Creek.  She became the organization’s Executive Director in October 2007.  She is an environmental attorney with a law degree from New York University and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.  She has worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council in New York, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Denver, and the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, DC.

Tara’s Bio:

Morrison comes to Rock Creek Park from the position of Superintendent of the NPS’ African Burial Ground National Monument in lower Manhattan, a site where free and enslaved Africans and African Americans were buried in a 6.6-acre site. Prior to her position as Superintendent, Morrison served for about two and one-half years as Management Assistant at the NPS’ Northeast Regional Office, leading the African Burial Assistance Project, coordinating communication with various NPS offices, the General Services Administration and the public regarding the development of a memorial and Interpretive Center at the Monument, including construction and curation of project collections.  Before the African Burial Ground National Monument positions, Morrison served as Acting Assistant Superintendent at the NPS’ Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ, where she reviewed and assisted in developing park-specific project requests, budget prioritization and recommendations for revision.

Morrison began her NPS career in 1998 as a Park Ranger at NPS’ Boston African American National Historic Site. Morrison joined the NPS’ National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program as the NPS’ Northeast Region Coordinator where she provided advice, subject matter expertise, and technical matter support toward the implementation of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act.

Please RSVP Here if you would like to attend this discussion.

EVENT REPORT: Wal-Mart FAILS on Sustainability!

Sun Dec 25, 2011 at 05:48:58 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

“In terms of the sustainability of the economy, having businesses that are operating at the appropriate scale, when you can have a neighborhood where there are 3 or 4 different grocery stores as opposed to one big Wal-Mart, that’s a much more diverse and competitive and resilient economic model.”

- Stacy Mitchell, Senior Researcher, New Rules Project

Earlier this month the DC Environmental Network hosted a extremely important discussion about the future of economic and environmental sustainability in our nation’s capital city. What made this particular discussion unique was that it was the result of a new and emerging partnership between environmentalists and organizations and individuals who represent workers in the District of Columbia.

This coalition was formed out of the understanding, based on research and data collected from the experiences of hundreds of communities throughout the United States, that Wal-Mart’s current economic model, unless enhanced by a Community Benefits Agreement, will result in an unsustainable economic situation that will hurt both the environment and the quality of jobs in the District.

With Mayor Vincent Gray experiencing only a 34% approval rating (53% disapprove) and the DC Council with an even smaller approval rating of 30% (55% disapprove) (Clarus Research Group, 12/2011), it did not bode well that segments of the environmental and labor community, two significant blocks of voters who helped Mayor Gray, Chairman Kwame Brown and others get elected, expressed strong disagreement with Mayoral action, and Council inaction in representing District citizens interests relating to Wal-Mart.

It seems the only decision maker who has done something substantive to represent the interests of District citizens has been At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson who introduced legislation that could help push Wal-Mart to embrace more sustainability in their business model in Washington, DC.

Our discussion featured two experts, one from the environmental community and one from labor, who gave a concise picture of Wal-Mart’s record on economic sustainability:

– Stacy Mitchell, a national expert on the economic impacts of retail on our neighborhoods, representing the New Rules Project of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, shared the hard cold facts about Wal-Mart’s probable impacts on our local economy. Stacy also talked about the significant disconnect between what Wal-Mart tells the public about its environmental sustainability initiatives and reality.

You can listen to her entire presentation and see some pictures from the DC Environmental Network’s campaign efforts here:

–Joslyn Williams, President, Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO, poked holes in Wal-Mart’s claims about the quality and impact of the jobs they would bring to the District.

You can watch his entire presentation here:

At the end of these two presentations, participants were left with a clear and focused understanding that we all need to renew our efforts to make sure we end up with economic development that helps, not hurts District residents.

The DC Environmental Network is committed to participating in the efforts of the Living Wages Healthy Communities campaign to force Wal-Mart to respect the District and do what is necessary to make sure our environment is protected and our economy is not damaged by Wal-Mart’s unsustainable business practices.

Young Voices for the Planet on Climate Change!

Thu Dec 08, 2011 at 08:38:47 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

On December 15 at Noon, at Global Green USA (1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor) join author, illustrator, originator, producer and director, Lynne Cherry, for a very special DC Environmental Network event!

Lynne Cherry, is founder and director of the organization, Young Voices for the Planet. Young Voices for the Planet is a film series featuring young people who are making a difference. They are shrinking the carbon footprint of their homes, schools and communities. These films demonstrate that you, too, can do something about global warming. As Alec Loorz says, “Kids Have Power.”

• Date & Time: December 15th at Noon
• Featured Panelist: Lynne Cherry, Young Voices for the Planet
• Location: Global Green USA, 1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor (near Farragut North & McPherson Square Metros)
• RSVP for this event HERE!

Part One – Overview on Young Voices for the Planet!

Lynne will share some of her most recent films and engage the DC Environmental Network in a conversation about how to tap into the power of kids!

Goals of Lynne’s Films & Project:

• to document youth success stories about reducing CO2–to give young people a voice;
• to alleviate children’s fear about climate change and move them towards hope, empowerment and action by inspiring them through these youth success stories;
• to document stories of youth using scientific data to argue their position in order to help other young people and adults understand the role of science in sound decision making;
• to reach and encourage a critical mass of young people to teach their parents and schools how to reduce their carbon emissions in order to galvanize the US public–adults and kids alike–and create a paradigm shift in the way that society views, and acts to abate, global warming;
• to encourage youth and adults to speak to elected officials about supporting sustainable energy;
• to create an interactive website infrastructure to help youth adopt carbon reduction projects;
• to provide teachers with materials to augment the films to facilitate students involvement in carbon reduction projects;
• and to have the films seen by as many young people as possible through distribution, dissemination and web-streaming of the films.

Part Two – Book Signing: Lynne Cherry as Author & Illustrator:

The Young Voices for the Planet films were inspired by the book Lynne Cherry wrote with photojournalist Gary Braasch, How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming.

Book Description: When the weather changes daily, how do we really know that the Earth’s climate is changing? Here is the science behind the headlines – evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world, sometimes with assistance from young “citizen-scientists.” And here is what young people, and their families and teachers, can do to learn about climate change and take action. Climate change is a critical and timely topic of deep concern, here told in an age-appropriate manner, with clarity and hope. Kids can make a difference! This book combines the talents of two uniquely qualified authors: Lynne Cherry, the leading children’s environmental writer/illustrator and author of The Great Kapok Tree, and Gary Braasch, award winning photojournalist and author of Earth Under Fire: Global Warming is Changing the World.

RSVP for this event HERE!

Lynne will also talk about her many illustrated children’s books and how they help her work.

To facilitate your holiday shopping Lynne will bring copies of these books (and others) and make them available for purchase.

All are welcome!

Primer on Urban Forestry & Tree Bill!

Mon Dec 05, 2011 at 05:22:23 PM EST

By Mary Lightle, Tree Canopy Enthusiast

REPORT: DCEN Briefing on the Urban Forestry Administration Reorganizing Act of 2011.

It has been a month since I strolled into the Urban Forestry Brief organized and hosted by the DC Environmental Network with Councilmember Phil Mendelson and Mark Buscaino of Casey Trees. I was curious, how did the District intend to increase the urban canopy? This represented a notion that would exemplify to the rest of the country that the built environment and urban forests will coexist.

“D.C. has a rich history of trees,” expressed Buscaino. “And I think all of us here are a testament to the fact that we really need to hold on to that history…”

The room was full of stakeholders – residents, environmental organizations, arborists, Casey Trees volunteers, and other District employees – sitting shoulder to shoulder listening to Councilmember Mendelson speak on behalf of the Urban Forestry Administration Reorganization Act of 2011. His bill cites amendments to the Urban Forest Preservation Act (UFPA) of 2002 and transfers the Urban Forestry Administration from the DDOT to the DDOE. He emphasized, “The goal here is the macro, not the micro.” When it comes to expanding the District’s current 35% canopy cover to 40% by 2035, there isn’t time to necessarily be concerned about preserving individual trees. “Simplicity, in any kind of legislation, is key,” said Buscaino.

Buscaino had his own recommended actions about the macro goal. He refreshingly described with candor and laconic humor that the size limit for trees covered by the UFPA, currently 55 inches, needed to be reduced and was set by a man hugging a tree at breast height. I had to watch the briefing video again to make sure I heard correctly. View Mark Buscaino’s portion of the brief for yourself.

Mary Lightle Up in the Tree Canopy

Decreasing the average tree circumference to the recommended 29 inches would allow for trees to grow closer together with a more intact canopy. A large gap in the canopy would occur if a tree of 55 inches were removed. An increased tree canopy would not only sequester more carbon emissions, but it would also slow stormwater with foliage and root systems, shade streets, regulate urban heat island temperatures, and improve aesthetics.

The macro is not only about the District either; it is about the global commons.  Where the wind blows, emissions are sure to go. What kind of neighbor do you want D.C. to be? Take your part in being a stakeholder on Wednesday, December 7^th, at the Urban Forest Administration Reorganization Act hearing.

What Kind of City Do We Want DC to Be?

Sun Nov 27, 2011 at 12:48:58 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

Walmart’s Sustainability Record: Not Good for DC Jobs or the Environment!

Dear District of Columbia Environmental Community:

A Disappointing Start:

Sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Mayor Gray, so far, seems to be trying to do something else.

In July, 2011 Mayor Vincent Gray  announced his intention to make DC the greenest, healthiest, and most livable city in the nation. The Mayor mobilized his agencies to move forward with a new Sustainable DC initiative.  This sustainability  initiative would strive to merge the need to create jobs AND make our nation’s capital city more livable.

This Sustainable DC initiative would be implemented  in a way that would benefit current residents AND future residents. This is a core principle of sustainability.

Just four months later Mayor Gray made another announcement. He announced that the District would be welcoming with open arms as many as six WalMart stores that would impact many neighborhoods.

With the increase from four to six new stores, many labor, environmental and human service organizations (and other District citizens) continued questioning Mayor Gray’s commitment to building a strong local economy and a real sustainability plan. It became even more clear that a WalMart presence in the District, without an aggressive sustainability plan focused on quality jobs and a livable environment, only keeps us from these important goals.

Even with these concerns many of us gave Mayor Gray the benefit of the doubt as he assured District residents he was negotiating with WalMart to create a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), to lock in at least a few community benefits that could be sustained over time for all.

Instead, what the Mayor presented on November 22nd, was Walmart’s very own blueprint called the “WalMart Washington, DC Community Partnership Initiative”, a non-binding list of WalMart’s public pronouncements with arguably zero concessions on their part. What was really sad was that it did not include any substantive environmental commitments beyond following laws already on the books.

Needless to say this is a very disappointing start for Mayor Gray’s first term. The fact that the Mayor does not seem to grasp how important it is to harmonize his sustainability initiative with his efforts to bring jobs to the District is disheartening to say the least. This is not the type of leadership District residents were looking for during last year’s election.

Rev. Kendrick Curry summed it up:

“As a Ward 7 resident, I am very disappointed,” said Rev. Kendrick Curry of the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. “This (WalMart Plan) has no teeth. This will allow WalMart to drain what is already in the community to nothing.”

Next Steps:

On December 1st @ noon, at Global Green USA (1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor), join the DC Environmental Network, Institute for Local Self Reliance and others for a special briefing on why WalMart’s plan is unsustainable unless the city requires a real Community Benefits Agreement with real input from the people who live here. RSVP for this discussion here!

Our panel will feature:

- Stacy Mitchell, Senior Researcher of the New Rules Project: Stacy will share the real story regarding WalMart’s sustainability initiatives. Stacy is also the author of the book, Big Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses. Stacy Mitchell Bio.

- Joslyn Williams, President of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO: Joslyn will discuss how unsustainable WalMart’s employment practices are and how District residents will be locked into economic insecurity for many years after our countries economy turns around unless we all work together to come up with a meaningful Community Benefits Agreement. Joslyn Williams Bio.

RSVP for this discussion here!

Both will demonstrate the importance of developing sustainability policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Conclusion:

What it comes down to is for all of us, the citizens of the District of Columbia, to decide what kind of city we want to be. Are we a WalMart city or are we a Sustainable DC. The evidence is clear that we cannot be both.

We can have WalMart in our city and be sustainable but we need to stand up to this very powerful corporation and tell them that they cannot use our countries economic woes to leverage advantageous development terms and that greenwashing will not be allowed in the District of Columbia.

We have lot’s of opportunities to achieve our goals:

1. Please come and learn why Walmart & Sustainability is a tricky combination that needs our attention. RSVP for this discussion here!
2. Support Councilmember Mendelson’s legislation, Bill 19-170, “Large Retailer Community Agreement Act of 2011″ to require that large retailers (stores over 75,000 sq. ft) enter into a Community Benefit Agreement and Bill 19-171, “Large Retailer Accountability Act of 2011″ to establish standards for responsible business practices by large retailers by ensuring that they pay living wages and provide benefits. More to come.
3. Join the RespectDC campaign.

Hope to see you on November 1st at Noon at Global Green USA!

Chris Weiss, DC Environmental Network

The DC Environmental Network has worked hard to promote the Mayor’s Sustainable DC initiative. We have held over 15 meetings, forums and other events, some open to the public, with hundreds of DC environmentalists sharing their vision for a sustainable DC. We are hoping the Mayor will come to understand how true sustainability will only come when we utilize the leverage we have to make sure the interests of District residents are taken seriously by corporations that come into our city to make profits.

WalMart & Sustainability in DC

Sat Nov 19, 2011 at 05:00:02 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

How Mayor Gray’s Plan to Bring WalMart to the District, Without a Strong Community Benefits Agreement, is Incompatible with a Sustainable DC

On December 1st at Noon, join the DC Environmental Network, Institute for Local Self-Reliance and other metro region environmentalists for a discussion on Mayor Gray’s Sustainable DC initiative and how it may not be compatible with his efforts to bring six WalMart’s to the District.  We will talk about how a strong, well designed, people driven  Community Benefits Agreement might help.

Our panel will include Stacy Mitchell, Senior Researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and author of the book, Big Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses.

RSVP for this discussion here!

Background:

In July, 2011, Mayor Gray announced his intention to make DC the greenest, healthiest, and most livable city in the nation.  In the four months since his announcement District residents have not heard all that much from the Mayor himself on this new initiative. What District residents have heard more frequently from Mayor Gray are plans to bring anywhere from 4-6 brand new WalMart stores to the District.

As environmentalists and others start to look closely at WalMart’s record on sustainability many are finding it hard to reconcile Mayor Gray’s vision for a Sustainable DC with the reality of what has happened at the thousands of WalMart stores world-wide.

Walmart’s six-year-old sustainability campaign has helped improve its public image, enabling the company to grow bigger and faster. That growth, ironically, has dramatically increased the retailer’s environmental footprint, and hurt local economies and the U.S. job market along the way. - Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self Reliance

Even on an issue many would consider the greatest environmental challenge of our time, climate change, Walmart’s sustainability efforts have not come close to mitigating for the over 21 million metric tons of greenhouse gases their facilities contribute to the planet each year.

While the company has been talking big about renewable energy, its greenhouse gas emissions have been rising steadily. Between 2005 and 2009, Walmart’s reported emissions in the U.S. grew by roughly 7 percent. In Asia, they doubled. The company says its operations produced 21 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2009, and it expects 30 million metric tons of cumulative growth in emissions by 2015. -Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self Reliance

Stacy Mitchell and other panelists will help us get behind WalMart’s public relations campaign and demonstrate how the District will need a strong community benefits agreement to make sure the public good is served more than corporate profits and in a way that helps, not hurts the environment we live in.

Our panelists will make 15-20 minute presentations and then open up the discussion for questions and comments from the audience.

Stacy Mitchell Bio:

Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the New Rules Project and directs its initiatives on community banking and independent business.

Stacy has served as an advisor to numerous community and small business organizations, and has helped cities and states implement new land use and economic development policies that curb the power of big-box retailers and strengthen locally owned businesses.

Her latest book, Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America’s Independent Businesses (Beacon Press, 2006), has appeared on several top-ten lists and was described by Bill McKibben as “the ultimate account of the single most important economic trend in our country.”

Stacy is frequently interviewed by news media and has contributed articles to a variety of publications, including Business Week, The Nation, Grist and others. She also writes about banking issues for The Huffington Post and produces The Hometown Advantage Bulletin, a popular monthly newsletter.

An engaging speaker, Stacy has given presentations for many organizations, including the American Booksellers Association, American Planning Association, National Main Street Center, and National Trust for Historic Preservation. See details of upcoming speaking engagements.

In addition to her work with the New Rules Project, Stacy chairs the American Independent Business Alliance and is a founding board member of the Portland Independent Business & Community Alliance. She lives in Portland, Maine.

In the last three months the DC Environmental Network has held over 15 meetings and discussion bringing over 600 District residents and environmental leaders together to talk about sustainability in the District.

Wildlife, Natural Systems and a Sustainable DC

Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 10:32:06 AM EST

by Kara E. Reeve, Manager – Community Based Climate Adaptation, National Wildlife Federation

Photo by USFWS/Terry Cacek

How do we sustain wildlife and natural systems in the face of climate change? That question was considered by over 20 local leaders, climate and sustainability experts, and students from the DC metropolitan area who came together in late October at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

The recommendations from the group will be submitted to the DC Office of Planning and the DC Department of the Environment as part of the process to develop a city-wide sustainability plan.

In particular, participants focused on the ways that natural systems approaches can be used to provide benefits for both people and wildlife.

USDA NRCS Photo

Many people at the meeting indicated that education and outreach to residents is critical, and one suggestion included the development of programs to help the public understand the ways in which protecting and enhancing the city’s green infrastructure can not only support habitats, but can also reduce private property loss from flooding.  Active education was emphasized, including outreach and education to residents about street tree health and maintenance to reduce tree mortality.

Some other Ideas included mapping the location of habitat corridors and open existing spaces, identifying the ability of different habitats to attract certain birds, butterflies, etc. and quantification of the ecological values of trees and plants.

Photo by Carine Thomas

The District of Columbia’s Wildlife Action Plan will be updated in 2015, so it presents an opportunity to incorporate climate change vulnerability data into the plan to make it a “climate-smart” approach.

Meeting participants acknowledged that although much work remains, the meeting represents an important first step to make DC a “climate smart city” that supports people and wildlife.

Please contact Kara Reeve with any questions: reevek@nwf.org

The event was co-sponsored by NWF and the DC Environmental Network (DCEN).

Climate Change is Already a Reality in Africa

Thu Nov 03, 2011 at 01:15:59 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

A discussion about the profound connection between our high-consumption carbon intensive lifestyles, climate change and poverty in the global south.

On November 11th at Noon, join the DC Environmental Network, Urban Solar Solutions LLC, Global Green USA and other DC based climate organizations and activists for an important opportunity to meet with African faith communities as they work to persuade U.S. constituencies of the reality and urgency of acting on climate change. RSVP for this event here!

“Climate change is already a reality in Africa, it is a profound existential threat, we are well past the stage of debating whether or not it is happening, and we urgently need developed countries to commit to changing lifestyles, reducing consumption and most particularly, carbon emissions. If you care about African poverty, you have to change your ways, now.” – Green Anglicans

Background:

The world urgently needs to adopt dramatic and sweeping cuts to carbon emissions in the context of a fair, adequate and legally binding deal.

One of the greatest current obstacles to progress in the international climate negotiations is the resistance of the United States to adopting any targets for emissions cuts. This resistance reflects the fact that human-driven climate change is for most Americans either a low priority, or a phenomenon whose existence they dispute altogether. Therefore, if there is to be any significant shift in domestic US politics on this issue, it is vital that Americans accept the reality of climate change and the urgency of acting to deal with it.

Representatives from African faith communities will discuss the profound connection between high-consumption carbon intensive lifestyles, climate change and poverty in the global South.

All are welcome! RSVP for this event here!

Communications for DC Advocates!

Tue Nov 01, 2011 at 01:34:31 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

On November 16th at 10:00 AM, join the DC Environmental Network for a special opportunity to polish your advocacy skills and learn about a new resource available to help guide your efforts to influence decision makers here in the District of Columbia.  Susie Cambria, a public policy consultant, will share more than 15 years of experience working on public policy and budget advocacy issues and talk about her new book, “Communications for DC Advocates: How-to’s and Lessons Learned Over 15 Years.”

RSVP Here & Learn More About Communications!

Background:

As environmental advocates in the District of Columbia it is often necessary to communicate our story and ideas to decision makers and the staff they work with. We communicate in many ways including through letters, meetings, fact sheets and briefings, to name a few. We often ask ourselves questions like (partial):

• What is the best way to write a letter to the Mayor or DC Council member?
• How do I prepare and deliver testimony and statements for the record?
• How do I create a fact sheet?
• What is the best structure for a meeting with an elected official or their staff?

Susie Cambria will share her insights and experiences that have made her one of the most effective advocates walking the halls of the John A. Wilson Building.  She will talk about the communications tools outlined in her new book, “Communications for DC Advocates” designed to give advocates a fundamental advantage when they walk into the legislative offices of our decision makers.

About Susie Cambria:

“The guide reflects the years of experience I have in advocacy and the many lessons learned doing public policy and budget advocacy work nationally, in Connecticut and most extensively in the District of Columbia.

I have more than 15 years of experience in DC Children’s policy and budget issues. In my work at DC Action for Children (1997-2008), I helped create a robust budget analysis and advocacy operation by establishing and maintaining relationships with elected and appointed officials and engaging the community in the work of protecting and nurturing children and youth across the District. I also created public education materials, trained others on effective budget and policy practices, and was (and remain, I am told) a respected advocate and analyst.”

RSVP Here & Learn More About Communications!

DC Environmental Network Training Opportunities: The DC Environmental Network has held many training opportunities over the years on grassroots organizing, working with the media and to educate about important environmental initiatives. In the last decade the number of environmental advocates roaming the halls of government in DC has increased ten fold. This is a special opportunity to meet with a very effective District advocate and to learn about communication practices that are easily transferable to our environmental advocacy efforts. It is strongly recommended that you take advantage of this opportunity.

All are welcome.

Cm. Mendelson Tree Bill Briefing on November 4th!

Thu Oct 27, 2011 at 11:44:12 AM EST

by Chris Weiss, Director, DC Environmental Network

Invitation & Background:

On November 4th join the DC Environmental Network, Casey Trees and other interested environmentalists for a special briefing featuring Councilmember Phil Mendelson. This event will take place at the John A. Wilson Building, offices of our Council and Mayor, in Room 120.

RSVP for this event here.

The DC Environmental Network, Casey Trees, Sierra Club and many others have worked hard over the years to stop the decline of the District’s tree canopy. In the 1950′s DC had a tree canopy that covered approximately 45%. Today the canopy is 35% and continues to decline.  See Casey Trees Urban Forestry Brief.

In 2002 the District passed the “Urban Forestry Preservation Act of 2002.” This act protected trees of a certain size and should have resulted in significantly more trees being planted the last eight years. Most environmental organizations feel that this law was never adequately implemented, and additionally, with the creation of the District Departmet of the Environment (DDOE) and other changes, is already outdated and needs fixing.

The DC Environmental Network believes that trees should be a central component of the District’s new Sustainable DC plan. Trees have many benefits including combatting greenhouse gases, cleaning our air, providing oxygen, cooling our streets, conserving energy, saving water and preventing water pollution. Trees also provide food, protect children from ultra-violet rays that can cause skin cancer and can even bring communities together. We saw this in 2002 when hundreds of District residents and organizations testified in support of trees at the biggest hearing on an environmental issue of the last decade.

The good news is the District has extremely dedicated organizations like Casey Trees working to reverse the decline of the tree canopy. In fact, in recent years, Casey Trees convinced the District government to adopt a goal of 40% tree cover by 2035.

Councilmember Mendelson, who has championed protection of trees over the years, recently introduced legislation, the “Urban Forestry Administration Act of 2011″ to start fixing the District’s broken and minimally implemented tree regulations. Mendelson’s bill increases necessary protections for smaller trees to help them reach the state of development that gives District residents the most benefits from tree cover. Mendelson’s bill also transfers the Urban Forestry Administration to the District Department of the Environment.

The environmental community has lots of ideas on how we might fix our dated tree bill. See Casey Trees Recommended Modifications. Introduction of this new legislation and our discussions with Councilmember Mendelson and others are important steps to finally having tree protections that make sense.

RSVP for this event here!

All are welcome.

Strategies to Promote Recycling & Reduce Pollution

Sat Oct 22, 2011 at 07:11:06 PM EST

By Paul Walker, Director, Security and Sustainability, Global Green USA

Global Green USA and the DC Environmental Network hosted a roundtable discussion on the recycling of bottles, cans, plastics, and packaging with Susan Collins, director of the Container Recycling Institute (CRI) in Culver City, California, on October 18, 2011.  Susan was in Washington DC to speak at the 6^th annual “Trash Summit” the following day organized by the Alice Ferguson Foundation regarding efforts to limit trash pollution in the Potomac River Watershed.

Susan described four models of recycling: (1) refillable glass and plastic containers such as used for beer and other drinks in Germany; (2) container deposits which provide financial incentives for consumers to return their bottles and cans; (3) secondary and transport packaging; and (4) actual voluntary recycling including curbside “blue bin” programs.

She explained that the carbon footprint of these liquid containers comes mainly from production of their primary packaging – glass and plastic bottles and aluminum cans – and their need for refrigeration.  She also explained that 29.5% of our yearly waste in the US comes from such packaging.

Recycling rates (2009) vary tremendously in the US from a high of 95.7% for car batteries to a low of 21% for plastic containers.  Tires, for example, remain at 35.3%.  In most cases, these rates could be considerably higher if recycling initiatives were more widely promoted and written into law.

The ten US states – California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Vermont – which currently have deposit laws which place a five-, ten-, or fifteen-cent deposit on various beverage containers now account for 50% or more of the recycled containers in the whole country.  This points to the remarkable effectiveness of deposit laws, commonly called “bottle bills.”  An eleventh state, Delaware, recently repealed its deposit law which had very limited coverage.  Six of the deposit-law states have recently expanded their systems to cover more beverage containers, including bottled water, sports drinks, liquor, wine, and even milk.  And two deposit-law states – Iowa and Maine – recently defeated repeal efforts.  Massachusetts is currently seeking to expand its 40-year-old law.

Internationally there are about 40 extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and 45 container deposit laws.  New laws have recently been enacted in Australia, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Turks & Caicos, and the US (Guam and Hawaii).  Susan particularly praised strong recycling efforts in Germany and Canada.

Typically, deposit-law states recycle 75-90% of the covered containers, greatly limiting trash pollution, saving valuable landfill space, reducing carbon emissions, and producing additional state revenue.  The 40 states without deposit laws, even those with strong public education and curbside recycling programs, produce recycling rates of 20-40%.  More statistics on these programs can be found from a Global Green USA study, the “BEAR (Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling) Report, at http://www.thecorr.org/Bear.pdf.

More information can also be found at www.bottlebill.org and www.container-recycling.org.

October 25th: Climate in a Sustainable DC

Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 09:34:30 AM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

Natural Systems & Climate Adaptation in Mayor Gray’s Sustainability Plan

On October 25th at Noon, please join the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the DC Environmental Network (DCEN), and other climate experts for an informal brown bag discussion about the ways that DC can be a “climate-smart” city that utilizes natural systems to build resilience to climate change, providing benefits for both people and wildlife. Ideas generated at this discussion will be submitted to the DC government as part of its effort to develop a sustainability plan for the City.

• DATE& TIME: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM
• PLACE: National Wildlife Federation, 901 E Street NW, Suite 400
• RSVP for this Discussion Here!

Please come prepared to share your ideas for local policies, ordinances, and demonstration projects, as well as ideas for implementing your suggestions (e.g., Who would need to be involved to make this idea work? How could revenue be generated to implement the project?). Here are some things to think about to get the wheels turning:

*What deliverate steps can the DC government take to build resilience to climate change and improve the city’s adaptive capacity in ways that support human and ecological systems?

*How can more open space provide recreation benefits and support wildlife?

*How can climate change vulnerability data be used to enhance land use planning and accomodate shifts in wetlands coverage? What kinds of tools could the city develop to enhance decision-making in these areas?

*What are other cities doing, and how can DC learn from them?

*How can transportation projects support species migration?

*How can vacant lots be used to support local wildlife and make the city more “climate ready?”

*How can the city use LID (low impact development) strategies for stormwater management to reduce property damage and protect wildlife?

You may work on climate change every day, but are you thinking about how your neighborhood could be better suited to cope with the impacts of climate change? Here’s your chance to put your skills to use in your own city.

A representative from the DC Department of Environment will also be on hand to answer questions.

RSVP for this Discussion Here!

For more information, please contact Kara Reeve at (202) 797-6653 or at reevek@nwf.org .

All are welcome!

Accountability & Process in DC’s Sustainability Plan

Tue Oct 18, 2011 at 01:22:45 PM EST

by Chris Weiss Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

Dear District of Columbia Environmental Leader:

I am writing to invite you to participate in our upcoming discussion, this Thursday, October 20th, at 8:00 am, on how we can help Mayor Gray design a Sustainable DC plan that we can implement and ultimately be proud of. You have been in the trenches advocating to green the District and understand the challenges we all face to protect the environmental health of everyone in DC and ultimately on the entire planet. That is why I need your help to formulate a plan that will really work.

The District of Columbia government has done a good job so far of reaching out to District residents and the environmental community for ideas and a vision for a sustainable District of Columbia. If you look on the Sustainable DC website you will find an excellent list of existing and new policy initiatives. What you won’t find is a clear road map on how we can actually make that vision a reality.

Our discussion this Thursday will look at how we might create a road map to success using a framework based on accountability, transparency and good governance.

The truth is it has been a struggle over the last decade to properly implement sustainability initiatives. Most of the environmental initiatives that we have all worked hard on have had limited success and many lacked the true comittment of decision makers and sometimes even the broader community necessary for implementation. This time we have to get it right and the only way we can make sure this new plan works is for all of us to work together to help the Mayor put a structure in place that is strong enough to be carried on through future administrations.

I hope you will consider coming to this discussion. If you cannot make it we will be having additional meetings to continue this process over the next six months. Sign- Up here to participate!

Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

Accountability & Process in DC’s Sustainability Plan

On October 20th at 8:00 AM please join this DC Environmental Network (DCEN) discussion to help figure out ways to structure the process to ensure performance over time of Mayor Gray’s new Sustainable DC plan. Let’s make ourselves and the District accountable for implementing a bold and aggressive vision for a Sustainable DC. RSVP Here!

Background:

Performance and process and the District’s sustainability plan “If done right” should be our theme to creating and implementing the District’s new sustainability initiative. The interests of the District, over time, will be best served by a sustainability plan that maximizes results by taking a look at the way we can create the process that will insure performance and accountability in the ways the Sustainable DC plan is implemented.

From a process perspective we will have a discussion to develop recommendations to develop guidelines that might:

- Make it common practice to assess environmental, economic and social performance as compared

to baselines;

- Ensure that the management and accountability structures and systems and the resources to support them are in place;

- Find a way to assess sustainability risk and opportunity for each policy and practice put in place;

- Not only look at what we produce but how;

- Leverage partnerships with business, nonprofits and academic institutions; and

- Engage stakeholders from those who live and work in the District, local and federal government agencies and employees, nonprofits, labor unions and visitors.

This presentation will be moderated by Patty Rose (Greenspace, NCR, Inc.) and Chris Weiss (DC Environmental Network).

Details:

• Thursday, October 20th, 8:00am until 10:00am
• Global Green USA, 1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor (near Farragut North & McPherson Square metro stations)
• Sign- Up here to participate!
• Call-In Number: (775) 269-3893, when prompted enter 399602#

All are welcome to attend!

Nation-wide Efforts to Maximize Container & Package Reuse

Fri Oct 14, 2011 at 11:20:35 AM EST

By Paul Walker, Director of Security & Sustainability, Global Green USA

Invitation & Background:

Join Global Green USA and the DC Environmental Network on October 18th @ 4:00 for an informative briefing on the many efforts nation-wide to maximize container and package reuse. Our panel of experts will be headlined by Susan Collins, Executive Director of the Container Recycling Institute (CRI).

RSVP for this event here!

Susan Collins:

Susan has spent 20 years advising over 80 municipalities on municipal solid waste and recycling programs and sustainability issues. She recently completed an extensive international research project comparing the financial, operational and policy aspects of container deposit and packaging systems in California, Germany and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. She spent nine years on the board of the California Resource Recovery Association, has a B.S. in manufacturing engineering from Boston University and an M.B.A. from UCLA.

Container Recycling Institute Vision & Mission Statement:

CRI’s very own vision statement states: “CRI is the model organization instrumental in bringing about a rapid increase in recycling for a world where no material is wasted, and the environment is protected. We succeed because companies and people collaborate to create a strong, sustainable domestic economy.”

CRI’s mission is to make North America a global model for the collection and quality recycling of packaging materials. We do this by:

• Producing authoritative research and reporting and education on policies and practices that empower communities to reduce waste (and related emissions) and increase recovery, reuse, and high-end/closed loop recycling of beverage containers, packaging and printed paper.
• Creating and maintaining a database of information on container and packaging generation, disposal, recovery and recycling in the United States and abroad.
• Studying container and packaging reuse and recycling options and legislation, including deposit systems, and their environmental and economic impacts. These include state, national and international programs and policies.
• Educating on recycling options for local, state and national government agencies and elected officials, for citizen groups, the print and broadcast media, community groups and public and elected officials considering a deposit system to recycle or reuse containers and packaging.
• Creating and sponsoring national networks for mutual progress (for customers and stakeholders).

Global Green and the DC Environmental Network, among many other District based organizations, are looking to bring the District into the next century with cutting-edge, effective strategies to increase recycling of the ever-increasing amounts of containers and packaging that is being generated by our consumption driven society.

This will be the first of many sessions, open to all, to help the District and surrounding jurisdictions come up with the right plan. We will also discuss how to implement any new strategies that the local environmental community evolves into Mayor Gray’s new Sustainable DC initiative.

RSVP for this event here!

All are welcome!

DC’s New “Urban Forestry Administration Act of 2011″

Fri Oct 14, 2011 at 11:08:33 AM EST

By Chris Weiss, Director, DC Environmental Network

Invitation & Background:

Join the DC Environmental Network, Casey Trees and other interested environmentalists for a special briefing featuring Councilmember Phil Mendelson. This event will take place at the John A. Wilson Building, offices of our Council and Mayor, in Room 120.

RSVP for this event here.

The DC Environmental Network, Casey Trees, Sierra Club and many others have worked hard over the years to stop the decline of the District’s tree canopy. In the 1950′s DC had a tree canopy that covered approximately 45%. Today the canopy is 35% and continues to decline.  See Casey Trees Urban Forestry Brief.

In 2002 the District passed the “Urban Forestry Preservation Act of 2002.” This act protected trees of a certain size and should have resulted in significantly more trees being planted the last eight years. Most environmental organizations feel that this law was never adequately implemented, and additionally, with the creation of the District Departmet of the Environment (DDOE) and other changes, is already outdated and needs fixing.

The good news is the District has extremely dedicated organizations like Casey Trees working to reverse the decline of the tree canopy. In fact, in recent years, Casey Trees convinced the District government to adopt a goal of 40% tree cover by 2035.

Councilmember Mendelson, who has championed protection of trees over the years, recently introduced legislation, the “Urban Forestry Administration Act of 2011″ to start fixing the District’s broken and minimally implemented tree regulations. Mendelson’s bill increases necessary protections for smaller trees to help them reach the state of development that gives District residents the most benefits from tree cover. Mendelson’s bill also transfers the Urban Forestry Administration to the District Department of the Environment.

The environmental community has lots of ideas on how we might fix our dated tree bill. See Casey Trees Recommended Modifications. Introduction of this new legislation and our discussions with Councilmember Mendelson and others are important steps to finally having tree protections that make sense.

RSVP for this event here!

All are welcome.

Accountability & Mayor Gray’s Sustainable DC!

Wed Oct 12, 2011 at 03:12:46 PM EST

by Chris Weiss, Executive Director, DC Environmental Network

On October 20th at 8:00 AM please join this DC Environmental Network (DCEN) discussion to help figure out ways to structure the process to ensure performance over time of Mayor Gray’s new Sustainable DC plan. Let’s make ourselves and the District accountable for implementing a bold and aggressive vision for a Sustainable DC. RSVP Here!

Background:

Performance and process and the District’s sustainability plan “If done right” should be our theme to creating and implementing the District’s new sustainability initiative. The interests of the District, over time, will be best served by a sustainability plan that maximizes results by taking a look at the way we can create the process that will insure performance and accountability in the ways the Sustainable DC plan is implemented.

From a process perspective we will have a discussion to develop recommendations to develop guidelines that might:

- Make it common practice to assess environmental, economic and social performance as compared to baselines;

- Ensure that the management and accountability structures and systems and the resources to support them are in place;

- Find a way to assess sustainability risk and opportunity for each policy and practice put in place;

- Not only look at what we produce but how;

- Leverage partnerships with business, nonprofits and academic institutions; and

- Engage stakeholders from those who live and work in the District, local and federal government agencies and employees, nonprofits, labor unions and visitors.

This presentation will be moderated by Patty Rose (Greenspace, NCR, Inc.) and Chris Weiss (DC Environmental Network).

Details:

• Thursday, October 20th, 8:00am until 10:00am
• Global Green USA, 1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor (near Farragut North & Mcpherson Square metro stations)
• Sign- Up here to participate!
• Call-In Number: (775) 269-3893, when prompted enter 399602#

All are welcome to attend!

Serbia/US Report: US Coalition & Network Building

Tue Oct 11, 2011 at 06:35:56 PM EST

by Noah Fishman, Program Officer, Institute for Sustainable Communities

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) works with citizen advocates and community groups worldwide to give them the tools and skills they need to achieve change.  Since 2006, through a grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), we have provided grants and training to nonprofit organizations in Serbia, including environmental groups, to build their capacity as advocates for their causes.  In past years, ISC grantees have organized grassroots campaigns to clean up the illegal waste dumps that literally litter the Serbian landscape.  But although citizens turn out to volunteer at these one-day events, our grantees still struggle to find a way to improve the systemic issues that contribute to the existence of these dumps in the first place.  ISC is now supporting a coalition of Serbian nonprofits called the Green Initiative who want to change this.

Green Initiative is a newly formed network of 22 citizen’s organizations of whose activities in the following 16 months will be oriented towards improvement of the waste management system.

The network consists of the following organizations:

1. Balkan Community Initiative Fund (BCIF)
2. Young Researchers of Serbia (YRS)
3. European Movement in Serbia (EMINS)
4. Group 484
5. IDC Serbia
6. Center for development of Social entrepreneurship (CDSE)
7. YUROM Center Nis
8. Center of Modern Skills (CMS)
9. Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE)
10. Network of local environmental organizations called the Green List of Serbia

Twelve representatives of the Green Initiative travelled to Vermont and Washington, DC as part of ISC’s Advocacy Fellows Program.  Participants explored best practices, models and lessons learned related to waste management policy and practice meeting with a variety of stakeholders, advocates and practitioners.

The groups’ first meeting in Washington, DC was a dynamic panel discussion at the DC Environmental Network.  The discussion focused on how to build effective networks and coalitions to advance environmental issues and included organizations and individuals with a wide range of experience such as: Global Green USA, Friends of the Earth, DCEN, DC Jobs with Justice and more.  The group gained valuable insights into the challenges, lessons learned and best practices in coalition building from leaders in this field which will help them as they work to further develop and sustain their own national level environmental network.  In addition, Serbian participants had a chance to share their experiences and discuss possibilities for ongoing dialogue and partnership between US and Serbian organizations.

The DC Environmental Network was very pleased to host this important discussion and hopes to support the work of the Institute for Sustainable Communities in the future as well as continue to connect and share experiences with the Serbian organizations and activists that visited us here in Washington, DC.

REPORT: DCEN Sustainable DC Forum

Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 11:07:14 PM EST

By Paul Walker, Director of Security & Sustainability, Global Green USA

Washington DC, the nation’s capital, has a new goal of becoming the most sustainable city in the United States. Mayor Vincent Gray has therefore launched a series of community discussions throughout the District, and the DC Environmental Network, working with Global Green USA, was fortunate to host one of the first of these dialogues.

At a packed roundtable at Global Green USA’s Washington office, the District’s environmental director, Christophe Tulou, and the planning director, Harriett Tregoning, explained that DC is ranked #8 among the 25 greenest cities in the US and Canada, and #4 for green jobs in the 100 largest US metro areas. It has the nation’s largest bikeshare program with over 15,000 members and new bike lanes throughout the city, and ranks #2 nationally for the number of public transit commuters. The District has 170 certified “green” buildings, second only to New York City, and is #2 nationally with over one million square feet of green roofs. Over 19% of DC area is green space, home to over 780 species of wildlife, and it’s set a goal of 35% tree canopy coverage by 2025. It purchases over 50% of its power from “green” sources, making it the #1 Green Power city in the nation.

Even though these are excellent steps forward for a very urban area, the District of Columbia still has many challenges. For example, DC’s recycling rate was 34% in 2009, far lower than those ten states with container deposit laws but slightly higher than the national average. It’s recent plastic bag deposit law, however, has caused a drop of some 50% in use of plastic bags. DC’s combined sewer system sends untreated water into the Potomac and Anacostia rivers many times annually during storms, typical of most major cities in the country.

It buys only 8% of its electricity from wind power today, a major step forward but one leaving much room for further expansion. And the average greenhouse gas emission per person still remains high — about 18 tons/year, although this is below the national average of 19.6 tons/year.

Global Green USA and the DC Environmental Network congratulate Washington DC Mayor Gray and his team for launching this important campaign and we all pledge to work to indeed establish our nation’s capital as the greenest city in the United States.

The DC Environmental Network will be holding a series of additional conversations about Mayor Gray’s Sustainable DC initiative in October.