Urban Sustainability Bulletin

USDN now helps partners, sustainability professionals, and our followers stay up to date with USDN members' innovations through the Urban Sustainability Bulletin, formally known as the Innovation Report. This newsletter highlights key updates from USDN as well as key accomplishments from our member communities to give you a sense of what is happening in the field of urban sustainability and particularly our three focus areas - GHG Reduction, Climate Resilience, and Social Equity.

July 2020

Anti-Racism Resources

Photo Credit:
USDN

Press Releases

Statements from Mayor and Police Chief in Burlington VT
Proclamation and Editorial from Fort Collins CO
Asheville NC Mandate for Reparations to Black Residents
Declarations of Racism as a Public Health Issue by local and state leaders

Resource Lists

Anti-Racism Resources from Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein
Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources Guide from Anna Stamborski, M. Div Candidate (2022); Nikki Zimmermann, M. Div candidate (2021); and Bailie Gregory, M. Div, M.S. Ed.
A list of Anti-Racism Resources with a glossary of terms from Annisa Herrero
A list of resources linking racism and the environment from the New York Times
Resources and a learning schedule from Justice in June
Resource Library for Fighting Racism and Injustice from The GREEN Program
Intersectional Environmentalist

Articles, Podcasts, and Webinars

Code Switch from NPR
Diversity and the Environment Webinar Series from Antioch University

Institutional Change

Community Policing Response During Black Lives Matter from Holland MI
Racial Equity Tools

GHG Reduction

Photo Credit:

Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News

Ann Arbor MI City Council Adopts Carbon Neutrality Plan: Ann Arbor MI's City Council approved a 10-year community-wide carbon neutrality plan with goals of powering the electrical grid with 100% renewable energy, reducing driving by 50%, and expanding their recycling and composting programs.

Dallas TX Approves First Climate Action Plan: The Dallas TX City Council unanimously approved their Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan, including 97 action items to reach goals that include making all new construction net zero energy within 10 years.

Climate Resilience

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Coastal Resilience

Miami-Dade County FL Releases Storm Risk Management Draft Plan: Miami-Dade County FL and the US Army Corps of Engineers are seeking public comment on a $4.6 billion draft plan to protect the area from storm surge and increased flooding risks driven by climate change.

Social Equity and Community Engagement

Photo Credit:
The City of Austin

Austin TX Prioritizes Equity in Climate Plan Update: Austin TX is currently revising its Climate Action Plan, which includes a more inclusive stakeholder engagement process, to prioritize low-income communities and communities of color by evaluating five new climate and sustainability goals against equitable outcomes of health, affordability, accessibility, prioritized transition, community capacity, cultural preservation, and institutional accountability.

King County WA CAP Update Focuses on Equity: King County WA is working on updating their climate action plan that will lead with equity through expanding community engagement and partnerships and strengthening community resiliency with leaders of frontline communities.

Urban Sustainability

Photo Credit:
Renew Wisconsin

Madison WI Installs Solar Electric Vehicle Charging Station: The Madison WI City Council approved an order to purchase the city's third solar-powered EV charging station to power municipal electric fleet vehicles.

Lawrence KS Switches to Nearly 100% Renewable Energy: Lawrence KS commissioners authorized a Direct Renewable Participation Service Agreement to purchase eight megawatts of renewable energy to source about 98% of its energy from wind over the next 20 years.

Santa Fe NM Earns LEED Certification: Santa Fe NM became a LEED Gold Certified City based on its implementation of practical and measurable strategies aimed at improving energy, water, waste, transportation, education, health, safety, prosperity, and equity.

San Diego CA Creates Urban Farming Website: In response to increased interest due to COVID-19, San Diego CA has launched a website for residents to learn more about various urban farming practices, access to additional local and national data, and information about city-related assistance programs.