Columbia Sustainability Partners

Sustainability of our water supply

Steven — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:46:11 +0000

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.

Upcoming events

Steven — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:39:24 +0000

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.

Sustainable food systems is more than just farmer’s markets

Steven — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:23:49 +0000

Steph Larsen at Grist.org has a good article about some of the often overlooked aspects of developing a truly sustainable local food economy. Here in Columbia we are lucky to have grocers willing to stock some local food options. However, this is likely not enough for long-term sustainability of the market. Producers are subject to the whims of local buyers, which makes investment in the production operation risky.

It is my hope that within the year and with the City’s sustainability efforts real progress can be made to further develop the local food system. My personal target is for at least one of the elementary schools to develop a menu that relies on the use of local foods. The advantage of going with a school is that the needs are predictable, and many of the distribution avenues created may be scalable.

Notes from the Sustainable Living Fair

Steven — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:53:09 +0000

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.

Defining sustainability, from a transportation perspective.

Steven — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:55:50 +0000

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.

Defining Sustainability

Steven — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:19:31 +0000

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.

Chickens!

Steven — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:40:47 +0000

The Missourian has a story this morning discussing the efforts to allow Columbians to have chickens. I totally agree with Adam that they seem to making this much more complicated than it has to be, and getting the permissions of neighbors seems to be a bit much and would likely only serve as an obstacle.

News from Energy and Environment Committee

Steven — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:02:30 +0000

The Columbia Daily Tribune has an article up today about the last meeting of the Energy and Environment Committee. The main topic was the determination of the duties of the forthcoming sustainability manager. Sadly, I see no indication that there is any desire to push for the hiring of the position prior to the awarding of funds later this year, despite the allocation of funds for it in the 2009 city budget. As its our mission to advocate for sustainability in Columbia, we can’t emphasize it enough that we ought to have a sustainability professional hired as soon as possible.

The value of energy efficiency investments

Steven — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:26:33 +0000

While most people are concerned with the transformation from high-carbon emitting power sources, like coal, to low-carbon emitting (natural gas) and renewables (wind, solar), a new study demonstrates that new sources aren’t needed to meet the near-term (2020) goals of the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill. Joseph Romm has an excellent post here explaining the new research and its impact.

Food, Inc.

Steven — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:00:02 +0000

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