Fall Events, Energy Awareness Month + More! |
Dear Baltimore Office of Sustainability Friends,
Happy Fall! We love October as it brings cooler weather, marks the beginning of autumn, and showcases nature's beauty matched only by her wisdom by recycling leaves back into the ecosystem. Also, October is Energy Awareness Month! As daylight hours decline, the opposite change can be seen in our electric bills if we are not aware of our energy use. Celebrate Energy Awareness Month by implementing small changes on the Federal Energy Management Program's Home Energy Checklist. Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) also provides several ways to save - through energy assessments, the Peak Rewards program, and year-round savings tips. If you are thinking of ways to start being more energy aware, log in to your BGE account to analyze your usage. Additionally, the Maryland Office of the People's Council has put together this great toolkit for homeowners and renters seeking energy assistance and help completing the application. Their office seeks to maximize successful applications for energy assistance and prevent utility shutoffs among residents in need, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please take advantage of these great resources!
In this month's newsletter, we feature another one of our fabulous Sustainability Commissioners, Donzell Brown, highlight a number of exciting fall events, and provide tips on how to make this year's Halloween a safe and sustainable one.
Happy Reading!
Baltimore Office of Sustainability Staff
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Donzell Brown, Co-Founder and ED of EJJI. Photo c/o Donzell |
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Donzell Brown -- Sustainability Commissioner |
Donzell Brown is a Sustainability Commissioner and the Executive Director of the Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative (EJJI). From Capitol Hill to the streets of Baltimore, Donzell has organized, fundraised, and created coalitions to influence growth in multiple sectors over the last 20 years, all in service of the public. EJJI is helping curate the next generation of journalists focused on environmental issues. High school students build critical journalism skills, from research to analysis, and learn how to obtain information and construct a narrative through various mediums. Students are also connected with mentoring opportunities.
“I know how important representation is, and I know how hard it is to be the only one. One of the most important things we can do is build a cohort and a mentor-mentee relationship, and connect our young people to opportunities. Every place says they want a more diverse workforce because it’s been shown to be a more productive and happier one. However, these conversations tend to happen in boardrooms and at conferences. That's why our motto is 'Our Community, Our Story'. We want to have a platform where under-served populations can have a space to grow, thrive, and connect with people. Both environmental journalism and environmental science lack diversity. And it will stay that way if students and community leaders don't find them welcoming places to work.”
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You don’t have to be a climate scientist or city planner to help improve the sustainability and resilience of Baltimore. Everyone has a story to tell about making Baltimore a stronger, fairer, and safer place for all of us. We’ve been collecting stories on our website, and we invite you to share yours with us by posting on social media with the hashtag #EveryStoryCounts and/or by emailing us.
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Baltimore Green Network Workshop |
On October 5th, the American Society of Landscape Architects facilitated a virtual workshop centered around the Baltimore Green Network and Baltimore's various greening efforts. Landscape architects from around the country joined in to learn from Baltimore's example. Local speakers included Johndre Jennings, Real Estate Director of Druid Heights Community Development Corporation; Doris Minor-Terrell, President of the New Broadway Community Association/Broadway East Community Development Corporation; and Kim Knox, Greening Coordinator for the Baltimore Green Network/Department of Planning. They spoke on the city's efforts to turn vacant lots into community-envisioned green amenities.
For any questions about the Baltimore Green Network and its implementation, please contact Kim Knox.
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The cover of the 2018 Baltimore Green Network Plan |
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Risk Rating 2.0 + Flood Awareness Mailers |
FEMA is updating the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) risk rating through the implementation of a new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. One of the major changes includes expanding the 25% flood insurance discount to the entire city, and not just to policies located in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Please note that anyone in Baltimore is eligible to purchase an NFIP flood insurance policy! And you can get a quote and purchase the insurance directly from FEMA.
During the month of October, the Office of Sustainability is also mailing flood awareness fliers to addresses located in the SFHA and Repetitive Loss Areas (areas that experience repetitive flooding). The flyers contain information about floodplain management, flood insurance, and flood protection. Please reach out to Acting Floodplain Manager Bruna Attila if you would like to be included on the mailing list or have any questions about your flood risk.
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A snippet of Baltimore City's Floodplain Map, which can be viewed on CoDeMap |
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Sustainability Highlights |
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A growing movement around the country is encouraging governments, universities, and other institutions to divest from the fossil fuel industry. Photo c/o facultydivest.org |
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Baltimore City Divests from Fossil Fuels |
In early October, Mayor Scott signed a bill to divest city pensions from fossil fuel companies and preclude future investment. This bill prohibits the new investment of certain retirement funds in fossil fuel companies and requires the divestment of certain retirement funds from fossil fuel companies within a certain timeframe, among other things. The bill was sponsored by councilmembers Mark Conway, Eric T. Costello, Robert Stokes, Sr., Sharon Green Middleton, James Torrence, Odette Ramos, Kristerfer Burnett, Phylicia Porter, John T. Bullock, President Nicholas J. Mosby.
Read more about the case for fossil fuel divestment here.
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A low/midrise rehab rental building in downtown Baltimore that includes affordable units |
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Seeking Community Input on Inclusionary Housing |
The Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development is seeking input on Baltimore City's Inclusionary Housing requirements. In 2007 the City approved Ordinance 07-474, Inclusionary Housing Requirements, Article 13 Subtitle 2B. The purpose of the legislation was to provide opportunities for affordable units in neighborhoods that would otherwise be inaccessible. As part of its larger commitment to creating equitable neighborhoods, DHCD is seeking ways to increase the number of Inclusionary Units and has retained Enterprise Community Partners and HR&A Advisors to provide recommendations that would make the existing law more efficient. An Interim Draft Report is available for review and comment through October 26th.
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Books + Articles our Staff are Reading |
“'People can relate to food in a way that they might not be able to relate to some of these other big climate issues. And it can be an ‘in’ for a lot of people. It’s deeply emotional, it can tie people back to their history and their culture...It’s very empowering for people to know that they can make tangible differences in their own home.'”
"In Baltimore, where about one in three people lacks access to a car, the report concluded that public transit “often fails to get people to their destinations in a reasonable amount of time.” The analysis called insufficient service “especially concerning” due to the high concentration of low-income, minority riders, “many of whom during the COVID-19 pandemic were classified as ‘essential workers.
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Photo c/o Colgate University |
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Have a Safe and Sustainable Halloween! |
From Halloween to New Year’s, there’s a lot to celebrate in the fall and early winter. However, house fires are one of the leading causes of holiday disasters, especially on Halloween. Ensure you and your family have happy holidays by keeping these safety tips in mind:
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Nearly 60% of home candle fires occur when combustible material is left too close to a candle. Consider lighting up your jack-o’-lantern with a small, battery-operated flameless one. If you do illuminate it with a traditional candle, keep flammable objects more than 12 inches from open flames and remember to blow it out before bed or before you leave home.
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Unattended cooking is the leading factor in home cooking fires. Whether you’re making holiday cookies or the Thanksgiving turkey, practice cooking safety to avoid fires at home.
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Ensure your smoke detectors are working properly and check in with the Baltimore City Fire Department if you need new ones.
To have a more sustainable Halloween, try implementing a few of these ideas:
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From party food to treats to pumpkins, consider composting all organic matter and recycling other items.
- Reuse your decorations from previous years.
- Make your own costumes.
- Shop at thrift shops, consignment stores, and yard sales, instead of buying retail.
- When having a party, cut down on waste by avoiding disposable cups, plates, and cutlery.
- Use (and decorate) household items to collect candy. A bucket, pillowcase, or old even an old bag can be decorated inexpensively at home - and reused year after year.
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We Love Feedback
Tell us what you want to hear! Do you have ideas on newsletter content? Or would you like to nominate an organization or person to be featured? Email us at sustainability@baltimorecity.gov.
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Our Mission
The Office of Sustainability develops and advocates for programs and policies that improve Baltimore's long-term environmental, social, and economic viability.
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417 E Fayette St, 8th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
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Lead Editor: Aubrey Germ, Climate and Resilience Planner
Newsletter Contributors: Bruna Attila, Coastal Resources Planner + Acting Floodplain Manager; Abby Cocke, Environmental Planner; Amy Gilder-Busatti, Environmental Planner; Kimberley Knox, Green Network Coordinator; Lisa McNeilly, Sustainability Director; Ava Richardson, Sustainability Manager; Kas Tebbetts, Climate Community Engagement Fellow; Lauryn Countess, Communications Intern; Sara Kaiser, Baltimore Public Allies Fellow
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