Columbia Sustainability Partners

NRDC has a new study out today on the sustainability of water supplies.  One analysis is with the effects of climate change taken into account, and another without.  

As you can see, Boone County’s water supplies will be strongly affected by climate change.  Even without the effects of climate change, our water supplies face a moderate threat.  Our neighbors to the north in Randolph County also face a high risk with or without climate change taken into account.

This a prime example of why Columbia, as well as Boone County, needs to be more comprehensive in their sustainability efforts.  While addressing energy concerns is a good thing, I’m beginning to fear that the progress made in 2009 with respect towards addressing other issues is starting to regress.

On March 6th, we’ll be having a program at the Columbia Public Library entitled “Integrated Pest Management for the Home Garden.” We’ll be discussing basics about what IPM is, different techniques, and information about a variety of pesticides. We’ll also help participants develop pest management plan for their own garden.  The program will start at 2pm.  Please remember that our library is incredibly busy everyday of the week, and twice as much on weekends.  James Quinn with MU Extension will be helping out.

On April 27th, at 7pm, we’ll have another program at the library.  This one, “Buying Green for the Home,”  will discuss the importance of different ecolabels, chemical exposure concerns from a variety products, and issues related to resource demands of consumer products.

Thanks for all the great conversations at the Sustainable Living Fair!

Ragtag will be showing No Impact Man starting October 24th.  To go along with film, I am participating in the No Impact Week project.  I’ll post notes later on how this going.

The AARP has an interview with the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, here.  The important quote, and one that’s particularly important for Columbia, is defining a livable or sustainable community as one allows to have the choice of owning a car or not.

With all the controversy surrounding bicycles and the pedestrian infrastructure grant in Columbia, its important to take a step back every now and again and recognize what the ultimate goal of making this community more pedestrian-friendly.  While some of our leaders are having second thoughts about having a variety of pilot projects (which garner plenty of grief in the comments section of the local newspapers), it is these types of projects that can help put Columbia on the path towards sustainability.

Are you unsure of what defines sustainability, particularly beyond your local environment?  Nature has special section on new research seeking to define the boundaries beyond which particular aspects of the Earth’s environment are no longer sustainable.

This is very good primer on the underlying issues of sustainability, as well as an important tool in helping to better define priorities for actions taken in the name of sustainability.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the panel discussion last night!

Please bear with us as the website becomes fully functional.