Hey, sports fans! Austin’s new professional soccer team, Austin FC, will play their first home game at Q2 Stadium on Saturday, June 19. So, what does this have to do with going green? Aside from the team’s primary color and its rallying cry “Verde! Listos!” the sustainability features in the stadium are first-rate.
Located near The Domain,…
We’re pleased to introduce you to Phillip Duran, a new Senior Climate Analyst in our office. Phillip will be working on data analysis, specifically calculating citywide and municipal greenhouse gas emissions.
We asked Phillip a few get-to-know-you questions so you can learn more about him and his background.
Q: Where are you from and what do you like best about your hometown?
A: I’m from a little place just east of Dallas called Rockwall, Texas – it’s the lit…
I’m helping to make Austin net-zero by: building a green home using reclaimed materials and generating power on-site
Meet David Brearley, a solar energy professional and technical writer. David serves on the Board of Directors for both the…
Inhale, exhale. The simple act of breathing is something that most of us have taken for granted at some point or another. But, breathing clean, fresh air is necessary for people to survive and thrive. Perhaps there is no better time to focus on air quality and respiratory health than during a global health crisis spurred by a disease that targets the lungs.
Because of human-induced climate change, our air quality is in danger of becoming worse. Wildfires,…
Reflecting on 2020 while celebrating 10 years of sustainability leadership in Austin
Our team is often asked, “What does ‘sustainability' really mean?” To us, it means protecting and improving Austin’s quality of life now and for future generations. The ways we work towards this are numerous. Specifically, our office leads efforts to strengthen our local food system, achieve net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, and identify ways to make Austin resilient in the face o…
We’re pleased to introduce you to Emmie DiCicco, a new Food Policy Planner working with our Food Team on a temporary assignment. We asked Emmie a few get-to-know-you questions so you can learn more about her and her background.
Q: Where are you from and what do you like best about your hometown?
A: I’m from Philadelphia, PA — the home of soft pretzels, ‘wooder ice,’ and the beloved mascot Gritty. I have so much love for Philly, particularly the attitude and the people. What other city can pull off the slogan, ‘No one likes us, w…
We’re pleased to introduce you to Keoni James, a new Austin Corps intern in our office who attends Akins High School. We asked Keoni a few get-to-know-you questions so you can learn more about him and his background.
Q: Where are you from and what do you like best about your hometown?
A: I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, which is known for its beautiful beaches. I moved around a lot be…
The Office of Sustainability wants to acknowledge the lives of Mike Ramos, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others killed and devastated by white supremacy and police violence. We see Black people who are raising their voices in the streets to demand justice and stand with them. In the midst of a global pandemic, these tragic acts of police violence amplify and highlight the fact that Black communities face the injustices of systemic racism that are ingrained in every level of our society. We respect and honor the sadness, grief, fear, rage and frustration that Black people and Black communities are feeling through their lived experience.
In ou…
As we embark on revising Austin’s Community Climate Plan, a lot has changed since we created our first plan in 2015. We now know that climate change is happening faster than we thought, and that the landscape of potential solutions has changed in terms of cost and technology. We also know that climate solutions have the potential to improve everyone’s quality of life, but climate change impacts don’t affect everyone equally. This is why we are leading with racial equity and learning from the…
By: Taja Beekley, Sales & Event Manager at the Austin Central Library and proud dog owner of Willoughby.
When we adopt a pet, we commit ourselves to a life of love and care. There are ways that we can incorporate a more earth-friendly approach to their wellbeing. Although it may seem more expensive or time consuming, these endeavors can often lead to a happier and healthier pet, as well as cost savings for their…