Greenwich Sustainability Committee
COMMUNITY NEWS
Advancing sustainability and climate resiliency
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O N E • P L A N E T • O N E • C H A N C E
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We Need Your Help! Please take a minute to support a seasonal limit to gas leaf blowers in Greenwich. Do you value peace and quiet for your home and property? Do you value air that is free of toxins, hydrocarbons, and carcinogens? Help us get our proposal to limit excessive GLB use across the finish line by writing your RTM representatives before Dec. 11. Email the entire RTM or request a list of your district reps. Learn MORE.
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STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Ecological Engineering at GCDS Upper School |
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The Advanced Environmental Science -Ecological Engineering class led by Dr. Nikki Barrett has been in full swing since the very first day of school. The class goal is to apply the knowledge learned in previous high-school science and engineering classes in completing campus and community ecological restoration projects. With the guidance of professional experts and local sustainability committee members, the class has made an impact on both the upper school and lower school campuses. Read about what the students are doing HERE.
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Clean Cars, Clean Trucks, and the Fight for Clean Air |
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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has released regulations that will strengthen air quality standards for cars and trucks and help us meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals. Together, the new rules require vehicle manufacturers to provide an increasing percentage of zero-emission light-duty vehicles to dealerships starting in 2026, reduce pollution from conventional vehicles, and gradually increase the supply of zero-emission trucks and buses. New York has already approved these standards, as have Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, California, and a growing number of other states.
To pass, these rules need to be approved by the Regulations Review Committee. Fossil fuel interests are working hard to prevent that from happening. Take action and send a message to the Review Committee.
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POMERANCE / TUCHMAN PARK SURVEY |
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The Parks & Recreation Department is working with the consultant GZA, Environmental Inc. to develop a Master Plan for the Pomerance and Tuchman properties. Pomerance and Tuchman offers 107 acres of ecologically and historically rich open space right in the heart of Cos Cob.
A vital component of this Master Plan is to seek input from the community on what they think should be incorporated into the Master Plan. To this end, a community survey has been developed, and a series of public meetings will be held to gather that feedback.
Joe Siciliano, Director of Parks & Recreation stated “Any successful Master Plan needs to reflect the community’s vision for what is needed. The community survey and public meetings are a great opportunity for people to provide input and guide the Master Plan development. I’m very excited to hear what kind of ideas come from this public outreach.”
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM OTHER SECTORS |
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B-Corp is a certification granted to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
B-Corps are dedicated to making a positive impact on society and the planet. Your purchases from a certified company contribute to initiatives that tackle issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and more. You become part of a collective effort to build a better world. Read more and find out what companies in Greenwich have B-Corp certification!
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Historic Properties of Greenwich is a 501c3 with the mission to "protect to preserve" historic properties and structures. The organization helps guide interested homeowners through the process of protecting their property with a Local Historic Property designation. The Samuel Ferris House is the oldest house in Riverside and only one of four pre-revolutionary structures remaining on Route 1. For a tour contact: info@historicpropertiesofgreenwich.org.
Preserving properties, even those that are not antique, keeps demolition debris out of our landfills. Construction debris takes up about 40% of solid waste space in landfills each year, potentially leaching pollutants into soil and groundwater.
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Climate Change and Precipitation in Greenwich: Navigating A Wet Future
This past summer, Greenwich was marked by an unsettling abundance of rainfall. It left us wondering if this extreme weather is the new normal or merely an exception to the usual climate patterns. To understand this phenomenon better, we need to dive into the intricacies of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its impacts on our region’s precipitation levels. MORE
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The Foodshed Forum convened A Tale of Two Towns: Addressing Food Insecurity in Greenwich. Participants learned about the scale of food insecurity in our community, including the barriers to accessing fresh food. The discussion also explored community-based solutions that include and go beyond food pantries and foster a more just food system. Fear not if you missed it or would like access to the discussion. You can find it HERE.
Photo Credit: FridgeHaven
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As fall settles upon the Northeast, the best time to plan for native plants in your spring garden is now. Begin looking for seeds on native plants like asters, goldenrod and milkweeds that support pollinating insects in your garden, or ask your friends to save seeds from their plants that you've been admiring. After the flower finishes blooming, what's left behind is a seed head for almost all plants. When it is completely dried out, this seed head is ready for harvesting. READ complete instructions.
Photo Credit: Xerces Society
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2023 Legislative Scorecard is here!
The legislation included in the Scorecard represents a diverse set of environmental concerns. CTLCV consults with other environmental groups, advocates, and stakeholders about key priorities and important initiatives. Throughout the legislative session, they track lawmakers' votes and send regular updates to legislators and members about the bills on our watchlist to be sure the pro-environment position is clear before any votes are cast.
CTLCV grades lawmakers on a 0 - 100% scale based on how they vote on key environmental and democracy bills in committees, the House, and the Senate. Their final score represents an average of their votes on those specific bills. See how your representative scored!
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YOUR GAS CAR versus AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE |
Consider this: How does your gasoline vehicle compare to a typical electric vehicle for greenhouse gas emissions?
Input your vehicle’s approximate miles per gallon (MPG) and annual mileage in the graphic at right. Results show annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in metric tons. Sourc:e EPA
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The majority of the 74 million pounds of waste generated annually in our community is trucked to Peekskill, New York to be burned at the detriment of the environment, public health and our wallets. Greenwich needs to adopt alternatives to incineration, not only to protect health of Peekskill residents, but to address a growing crisis in Connecticut. Learn more about how burning our trash affects residents of Peekskill and how Greenwich and other communities can “redesign, reuse, divert, and compost” their way to a more sustainable future HERE.
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The Great Pumpkin Rescue
Saturday, November 18 | 1-4 pm
Living Hope Community Church
Old Greenwich
Waste Free Greenwich will host its second annual Great Pumpkin Rescue and collect pumpkins for composting and to raise awareness about food waste in our community.
Bring your pumpkins to be composted and stay for the fun! This family-friendly, free event will feature a pumpkin toss and lawn games, including pumpkin bowling, spooky ring toss, pumpkin bean bag toss and gourd tic tac toe. Earn raffle tickets for chances to win prizes that will help your family cut household waste. Sponsored by Curbside Compost.
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Election Yard Signs
Local elections are Tuesday, November 7 and hundreds of signs will need be disposed. Election signs made of corrugated plastic are NOT recyclable.
Responsible Disposal
Separate the metal stand from the sign and drop it off at the scrap metal area at Holly Hill for recycling. If you can't reuse the sign, place it in the trash.
Reuse
• Keep the signs and stands until the next election cycle, or return them to the candidates or town committees for future use.
• Paint the sign or cover it over with paper for future yard sales or other events.
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Coat Drive
Right now 28% of Greenwich residents are “at or near poverty”. Year over year there has been a greater need for winter coats for this population. For the past two years, the Department of Human Services has not had enough coats to meet the need, especially for teens and children.
The goal this year is to collect at least 900 coats. To make it easy for folks to donate a new coat, scan the flow code on the flyer and purchase a coat from the Amazon wishlist. Buy a nice warm coat for a child for about $50.
Drop-off boxes for coats are at the Main Greenwich Library, Greenwich Town Hall Lobby and at St Pauls Episcopal Church on Riverside avenue.
The Registrars of voters have made drop-off boxes for coats available at the polling stations this Election year.
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Your feedback is valuable to sustainability! |
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