Sustainability

Sustainability

El Paso adopts smart-growth plan

Renderings courtesy of Plan El Paso

By Laurence Gibson, El Paso Group chair

March 6, 2012, may go down in history as the day El Paso decided to change itself. On that day El Paso’s City Council voted unanimously to adopt Plan El Paso.

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 31 March 2012 - 8:53pm
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El Paso Council approves Low-Income Weatherization Program

Energy Works

El Paso’s City Council voted December 15th, 2011, to accept a $4 million grant to help low-income families weatherize their homes, thereby reducing their energy use and lowering their utility bills.

The money is from the federal government’s stimulus program and is being funneled through the state of Texas under contract with the city of El Paso. The program will help about 600 low-income households replace insulation, windows, and even energy-wasting appliances, according to Bill Lilly, the city’s Director of Community and Human Development.

Submitted by dvw on 1 January 2012 - 9:38pm
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Cool Cities Campaign

Solar Thermal Panels by DVW

Cool Cities News

The Sierra Club’s Cool Cities Campaign works with cities that have joined the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to accelerate their implementation of effective programs.

To date, more than 1000 mayors nationwide have signed the agreement. In New Mexico, seven cities are participating in the program: Alamogordo, Albuquerque, Capitan, Las Cruces, Ruidoso, Santa Fe (City and County), and Taos. Under the agreement, participating cities commit to take the following three actions:

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Partners for a Clean New Mexico Launch Statewide Campaign to Combat Illegal Dumping

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PRESS RELEASE: Partners for a Clean New Mexico Launch Statewide Campaign to Combat Illegal Dumping
DATE: April 18, 2013 Donna Hummel, Bureau of Land Mgmt., 505/954-2018
Joy Esparsen, NM Assoc. of Counties, 505/820-8111

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 22 April 2013 - 9:27pm
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National Geographic close to going Green for it's paper source

According to Green America's Better Paper Project latest report, (more info click here) the organization has succeeded in getting one of the largest, most influential magazine publishers in the country to admit the benefits of using recycled paper.

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 26 March 2013 - 7:28pm
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NASA’s Climate Kids idea: Make your own recycled paper greeting cards—and then plant them!

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A NEW TWIST ON RECYCLING

There’s a fun new activity on NASA’s Climate Kids website. Instead of just emptying the paper-shredder receptacle into the recycle bin, recycle it yourself! Make your own recycled paper greeting cards—and then plant them! This “seed paper’ activity is easy and fun, and produces a greeting anyone would find endearing for Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. Visit climatekids.nasa.gov/seed-paper.

Check out these great sites for kids:

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 14 February 2013 - 9:41am
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Zero Waste information and brochure

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Zero Waste is a concept based on nature. Nature doesn't generate waste or pollution. What is waste for one organism is food for another.

Zero Waste focuses on reducing waste by reusing products and composting rather than recycling.

The Sierra Club Policy
The Sierra Club adopted a Zero Waste policy in 2008. It addresses not only the qauntity of waste we generate but also its toxicity and its important link to corporate responsibility and climate change.

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 24 January 2013 - 9:17am
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Dairy groundwater protections in danger

By Dan Lorimier, Chapter Conservation Coordinator and Lobbyist

After almost three years of wrangling with New Mexico’s dairy industry, calling themselves the Dairy Industry Group for a Cleaner Environment (DIGCE), and the New Mexico Environment Department’s Groundwater Quality Bureau, the Rio Grande Chapter saw the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) implement new regulations specific to the dairy industry early in 2012.

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 1 January 2013 - 1:44pm
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Two NEW New Mexico wildlife refuges dedicated

Wildlife refuge photo by Jeff Potter

New Mexico hit the conservation daily double on Sept. 27, when we gained two national wildlife refuges—America’s 559th and 560th. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, along with Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Rep. Martin Heinrich and other dignitaries and community supporters were on hand for two ceremonies celebrating land acquisitions for the new refuges.

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 16 October 2012 - 3:16pm
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Plan for Middle Rio Grande released

Expanding programs such as the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program

By Dave Simon

The Rio Grande is one of the world’s great rivers. Over 1,800 miles in length, the Rio Grande is the fifth-longest river in North America. More than 500 miles of the Rio Grande form the heart of New Mexico—the state’s primary drainage feature and most valuable natural and cultural resource.

Submitted by Jeff Potter on 16 October 2012 - 2:58pm
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