Peter Brooks is a Baltimore-based multi-disciplinary educator, dancer, singer, and artist who focuses on helping and healing by connecting people to history. His work ranges from concerts to public speaking engagements to leading prayers to running classes for veterans, students, and others on topics such as “Secular Shamanism” and “Healing Old Wounds.” He also advocates for and educates people about the legacy of his grandfather, Cab Calloway, and his grandaunt, Blanche Calloway, both of whom were crucial to making the Harlem Renaissance such an enormous cultural force. He is currently working on developing more nature-based educational and healing experiences for children that connect them to the earth.

Excerpted from his profile with the Maryland State Arts Council, “My creative process begins with the recognition that we are on occupied land. Knowing that makes me want to understand what happened, why, and what was lost in the occupation. My focus is on what was lost and gathering those things together and making them real again...My artforms are the tools I use to try and fulfill my mission, which is ultimately to train people in a form of time travel. Whether it's learning the AIM song or a Haudenosonee Prayer or explaining the relevance of my grandfather, Cab, and his sister Blanche Calloway to modern audiences, my goal is to somehow make the past come alive. This can be either to relieve pain, stress, anxiety, loneliness, anger and fear or to prepare yourself for the tests you will find in the future.” 

Very excitingly, a Baltimore-based research team was awarded a large federal grant from the US Department of the Environment (DOE) to study the impacts of climate change on the city. The Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (BSEC) is supported by a $25 million grant awarded to the Baltimore Integrated Lab, part of the 21st Century Cities Initiative at Johns Hopkins University. The study team will involve scientists, climate modelers, and other experts from Johns Hopkins, Penn State, Morgan State, and UMBC, among others. Starting this month and continuing for five years, the team will study atmospheric, climatic, and environmental factors across Baltimore and develop adaptation strategies to improve the city's resilience to climate change. The Office of Sustainability will be a key stakeholder and collaborator on the project. The research and resulting strategies will help to inform the City's climate action planning and disaster preparedness planning efforts, as well as the city's Community Resiliency Hub Program.

Baltimore is proud to be recognized as one of 122 local governments to receive a top score on climate action from the environmental impact non-profit known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, or CDP. CDP runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions. In 2022, just 12% of local governments scored by CDP received an A. The Office of Sustainability leads Baltimore's emissions reporting process each year.

Baltimore and the other cities and counties on this year’s A-List are celebrated for showing that urgent and impactful climate action - from ambitious emissions reduction targets to building resilience against climate change - is achievable at a global level, and in places with different climate realities and priorities. Some of the actions taken in Baltimore this year include the adoption of legislation that will require City government operations to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and Mayor Scott’s announcement of a new climate action goal to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality in the same timeframe.

Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics -- DOE

Learn how the Inflation Reduction Act can help homeowners save on solar energy in this guide produced by the Solar Energy Technologies Office of the Department of Energy. The act provides a 30% tax credit on residential solar energy systems, and in some cases purchase of interest in community solar applied towards your home's electricity consumption for systems, installed this year and through 2032. There is also a solar tax credit guide for businesses.

Meet the New Faces of Farming in Baltimore -- Baltimore Magazine

These farmers aren't new faces to our staff, but we think you should know about their work. This story is one of several included in Baltimore Magazine's GameChangers publication. "Baltimore GameChangers’ mission is to shine a light on the people and organizations that are creating positive change in Baltimore. In doing so, we intend to change the perception of Baltimore and inspire others to act in ways that benefit our community." If you know of someone who is sparking positive change in Baltimore, you can nominate them here.

Let Your Light Shine -- Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez

In the captivating book Let Your Light Shine, the authors, who are also founders of Baltimore’s Holistic Life Foundation, share the impact of yoga and meditation on their lives as children living in one of Baltimore’s most underserved neighborhoods and the program they established as adults to help at-risk children, and particularly children of color, heal from trauma, step into their power, and rebuild their communities.

One of the biggest (and most food-oriented) American holidays will soon be upon us. Though Turkey is the traditional star-of-the-show, many of those celebrating Thanksgiving have begun to celebrate in more sustainable ways, including by serving meatless entrees! More than ever before, there are great recipes available for a meat-free holiday. For a meatless main dish, consider a risotto or a lasagna like this roasted butternut squash risotto or this veggie lasagna. 

For those that have less time, there are tons of options to purchase and then heat. The brand Gardein has a lot of great options available to view on their site as well as a nice locator to tell you exactly where to go to buy their products. The budget-friendly grocery store, Aldi, also has many meatless options in their house brand, EarthGrown. There are currently a few dozen vegetarian and vegan ready-made options available to choose from including their Vegan Plant-Based Herb Turkey Breast. Find an Aldi near you here.