DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

 
Photo from Aaron Benson on Unsplash

Photo from Aaron Benson on Unsplash

It’s the end of the year, and also the end of the decade, which means it is a great time to reflect on all the work that has been done over the past several years. Since 2010 we’ve seen the frequency and severity of natural disasters increase across the world, and even locally here in Colorado. These disasters have caused significant damage to the nation’s infrastructure, and since 2017 have cost FEMA upwards of $138 billion in Disaster Relief Funds (through September 2019).[1] This year has also seen many communities declare a Climate Emergency as the impacts of inaction on climate change become increasingly more clear.

Now more than ever, it is important for cities to realize the importance of evolving to become inclusive, zero-carbon communities that provide residents with economic and social benefits equitably. The most recent United Nations Environmental Programme Emissions Gap Report[2] states that global carbon emissions are continuing to rise, and that the world is quickly running out of time to avoid the worst impacts from global warming and climate change. Developing and implementing a plan for transitioning towards sustainable and resilient infrastructure and services is critical for cities across Colorado and the world. Cities and towns are beginning to see the necessity of ensuring thriving and equitable communities into the future. Lotus is grateful for the opportunity to support meaningful work at the local, regional, and state level across Colorado, the Four Corners, and the Midwest over the last several years, and we look forward to continuing this work into the next decade.

[1] For more information, see: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1573361021479-05f14acb9b93da2fafa71eb097c330b7/Nov2019DisasterReliefFundReport.pdf

[2] For more information, see: https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30798/EGR19ESEN.pdf?sequence=13

Project Highlight - EAGLE COUNTY’S RESILIENCE PLAN

Eagle County, located in central Colorado and home to several of Colorado’s world class ski resorts, embarked on creating the county’s first Resilience Plan earlier this year. Lotus has been working with partner organizations, such as Adaptation International and Aspen Global Change Institute, to complete the Eagle County Community Resilience Plan. In developing the plan, Lotus led an extensive stakeholder engagement process and supported public outreach efforts to ensure that the plan provides a framework for long term community vibrancy, health, success and sustainability for Eagle County. The Plan has four key focus areas (Health & Wellness, Economy & Tourism, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources & the Environment) and a vision that “Eagle County is a thriving, connected, and resilient community that implements innovative ideas and local solutions for environmental stewardship, social equity, and a sustainable economy that benefits all.” Instead of creating a static document that could just live on a shelf, Eagle County opted to  develop the plan as a website that engages community members in the work, provides opportunities to participate and give feedback, and can be regularly updated as the implementation work proceeds. We’ve been thrilled to be able to support this project and can’t wait to see the County continue on its resiliency journey!

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT - TOWN OF ERIE’S SUSTAINABILITY MASTER PLAN

The Town of Erie, Colorado, recently approved the Town’s first Sustainability Master Plan. Lotus was selected to help the Town complete this work and collaborated with Town staff and the Town’s Sustainability Advisory Board to develop the Plan. The Plan has four key sectors: Energy Use; Transportation; Waste, Recycling and Composting; and Education & Outreach. Each sector includes a list of priorities and strategies that the Town can take to enhance the sustainability of Town operations and residents’ lives over the next five years. The Plan also includes measurable targets through which Erie can gauge its success, and guiding principles for implementation that note key partners and resources that the Town can engage in this effort. This Plan will serve as a decision-making tool to identify projects that the Town can pursue in order to achieve its Sustainability Vision of becoming “…a leader in sustainability by providing outreach and leadership alongside inclusive and accessible opportunities that support the growth of the local economy and engage the community while protecting the natural environment.” Lotus is grateful for the opportunity to have helped the Town create their first Sustainability Master Plan and is excited to see Erie implement this work in the coming years!

Lotus Blog - HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CREATE RESILIENCY

How can cities become more resilient to climate change and its impacts? Just ask the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM). This network of more than 10,000 mayors from local governments across the world is working towards “a resilient and low emission economy.” In its recent report titled “Climate Emergency, Urban Opportunity,” the GCoM explores how local, state, and national governments have the power and unique opportunity to work together to create resiliency, while also implementing mitigation strategies, in the face of a climate emergency.

Discover How Cities can Create Resiliency in the Blogs section of our website!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FROM THE LOTUS TEAM

Emily: “Buy with intention. Buy gifts with meaning that contribute less to the waste, make more with less, invest in larger purchases (such as an EV and community solar) that lowers my carbon footprint.”

Hillary: “I want to start buying like nothing is recyclable. See this video for inspiration: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/09/opinion/recycling-myths.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage”

Julia: “My fiancé and I are planning a zero-waste wedding, including composting all food waste, sourcing food locally, and growing our own pots of flowers for centerpieces.”

Rachel: “I'm hoping to move to an apartment that provides recycling services and makes it easier for me to compost, bike to places safely, and where I feel comfortable working from home! Also, I want to try to buy in bulk more and bring my own containers to the grocery store.”

Inspiring or Noteworthy News

It’s been an up and down year and decade for the environmental movement in the US and across the world. While nationally we’ve seen roll backs on environmental regulations and the US leaving the Paris Climate Accord, we’ve seen local and state governments, other nations, and private companies step up to the plate to take firm action on mitigating and adapting to climate change. Here are some inspiring and noteworthy news articles to close out the year and the decade:

Local News

  • CDPHE releases a risk assessment of the oil and gas industry on public health.

  • Voters in Colorado passed Proposition DD, which taxes sports betting to fund the state’s water fund.

  • United Power and La Plata Electric Association ask the Public Utilities Commissions to determine the cost for them to buy out of their contracts with Tri-State Generation and Transmission.

  • A new study shows that deep decarbonization of the electrical sector in Colorado will not only reduce emissions, but also result in significant cost savings for the state.

  • Lyft is piloting a 200 electric vehicle fleet in Denver.

  • GRID Alternatives Colorado hosted its 4th We Build Installation in November as a part of its Women in Solar program.

  • Solaris Energy and Namaste Solar completed a 1-MW Solinator Garden for the City of Fort Collins in November.

  • Routt County and Steamboat Springs to use greenhouse gas emissions inventory to help create joint Climate Action Plan.

  • Tri-State Generation, along with several national partners, help establish Beneficial Electrification League’s first Colorado chapter.

National News

  • PepsiCo is spending $1 billion to advance sustainability initiatives within the company.

  • More U.S. cities are adopting electric buses into their public transit fleets, reducing emissions and enhancing cost savings for the communities.

  • Air quality in the US is declining, leading to nearly 10,000 more deaths annually since 2016.

  • It’s official: the Trump Administration begins paperwork to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.

  • California cities consider creating their own electric utilities after several days of blackout from PG&E.

  • With fires erupting in California, the National Weather Service issues a first-ever Extreme Red Flag Warning for two California counties.

  • Utilities have multiple tools at their disposal in their efforts to decarbonize the energy they provide customers.

  • A new report details how programs across the United States are attempting to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations through in-home energy efficiency measures.

  • Does building electric vehicles create more emissions than conventional fuel powered vehicles?

  • Patagonia aims to cut down on waste with its new Worn Wear line of products.

  • Climate change protesters disrupt and delay the Harvard-Yale football game.

  • Alaska Natives’ ice shelters are melting due to a warming planet.

  • Learn why most greenhouse gas inventories underestimate emissions from agriculture.

  • Humans are exceptionally talented at ignoring the facts on environmental issues, argues one western environmental reporter.

  • IBM throws its support behind the Climate Leadership Council’s Carbon Dividend Plan.

  • First-of-its-kind report from ACEEE reveals dramatic energy efficiency impacts, warns of stalled progress in face of climate challenge.

Global News

We always appreciate your feedback, and any opportunity to support your work on climate action and sustainability. Please reach out to us with questions or comments. Also, if you have an interesting article that you think is worth sharing, please send it to us and we may include it in a future newsletter. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

 
NewsletterVisuable Team