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Simplify the Holidays!

12/8/2020

We all know that this holiday season will be like no other - not only because of COVID, but also because of the growing awareness that we must change our throw away culture in order to avert a climate crisis. Longmont has a long way to go in reducing what we send to the landfill - only 26% of our curbside residential waste is recycled or composted! With that in mind, the SRL Zero Waste Committee has put together some suggestions on how to Reduce and Reuse this year, so we can do our part to diminish our carbon footprint and keep our planet livable.

Use cloth, calendars, maps, comics or bandanas as wrapping paper - get creative!
Repurpose paper to make homemade holiday cards, or send an ecard
Package gifts in reusable tins, or use boxes with decorative patterns instead of paper
Give the gift of bulk: Homemade chai mix (order by 12/16), or package food in reusable jars: soup mixes, dessert mixes, apple butter or fruit preserves (make your own or check out Simply Bulk for great gift ideas)
Cook, make art, or craft together on Zoom! Our carbon footprint is less when we telegather
With smaller gatherings, rethink your traditional recipes and number of servings so food doesn’t go to waste - and compost any food scraps
Consider Zero Waste gifts - something that will help friends and family go green all year long - reusable lunch containers, straws, or become an SRL member and get reusable produce bags!
Buy online gift cards to local shops and restaurants; give the gift of classes or lessons, memberships, or share your skills; create DIY or second hand gifts
Take some of the money you save by not traveling for the holidays, and donate it to an environmental organization or your loved one’s favorite charity
And here are some holiday recycling opportunities from the City:
- Christmas Tree drop off: Dec 26 - Jan 6 at various locations
- Recycle your strands of lights and wrapping paper at the Waste Diversion Center from Dec 26 - Jan 6. Bring your utility bill for free drop-off. Note: ribbons, bows, tape, or tissue paper can’t be recycled - so don’t use them!
- Styrofoam #6 can be recycled at the Waste Diversion Center year round (no packing peanuts)

For the complete guide on what can be recycled and what can’t, check out the EcoCycle Holiday Guide. And for more great ideas, watch SRL’s webinars on Zero Waste in the Time of COVID and Food Preservation: Tips and Tricks for a Zero Waste Kitchen.
Make it a fun competition to see how little wrapping paper, single use cardboard and plastic, and unnecessary stuff you can give and receive this year -
and give the gift of a livable planet to future generations!

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Longmont Drive Electric Week

9/8/2020

Just imagine...50 vehicles (cars, trucks, bikes, and even motorcycles) driving up Main Street in Longmont with no revving motors, no squealing brakes, and no exhaust fumes...just peace, quiet, and the smell of local restaurants wafting through the sidewalks. This dream will be a reality with Longmont’s first EV Motorcade on Saturday, September 26th, from 5 - 6 pm. Drive your EV in the motorcade, or come have dinner on Main Street for a front row seat, or watch from the comfort of your home on the SRL Facebook page livestream.

Thinking about getting an electric vehicle? Or just EV-curious? Join us on Thursday, September 24, for real conversations from community leaders and EV owners about the affordability, benefits, and incentives for plugging in. Curious about charging infrastructure? Worried about getting stranded? Come ask your questions and get the lowdown on what it’s like to be an EV owner in Longmont. Register HERE for this free webinar: “The EV Solution: How Electric Vehicles combat climate change while promoting affordability and equity”. You’ll get a virtual tour of a Longmont resident’s EV and charging set-up, as well as great information from state and city leaders about how the future is electric.
In the meantime, check out this great Boulder County resource for all things EV, including rebates and credits on cars and charging equipment, how to find public charging stations, and lots more. It’s great to see the County stepping up to respond to the fact that about 30% of climate change causing carbon emissions come from the transportation sector.

Think that EV ownership is just for the elite few? Think again... affordable (under $10K) used EVs are readily available, maintenance costs are much lower than with conventional cars, and of course, no more trips to the gas station! Check out this article about the true costs of owning a conventional vehicle. And HERE is a list of all the current EV/Hybrid models available - there are over 40 models, with several in the $20K range for a new car.
Finally, join SRL in asking City Council to become a GoEV City. To celebrate National Drive Electric Week this year, let’s get a commitment from City Council to move the needle in the right direction: City fleets, school district buses, and RTD buses should be transitioned to electric as soon as possible; 30% of private vehicles should be transitioned by 2030 with the help of incentives and programs; and the City needs to “develop policies and strategies to improve transportation equity and extend the benefits of transportation electrification to low-income households and communities disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of air pollution.”

Even though critics say that EVs are inaccessible to the general public, in fact, the electrification of the transportation sector will be necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable sectors of our community. EVs become even more a part of the climate solution as our electric power moves towards 100% renewable sources. Let’s each do our part to encourage the adoption of the EV solution individually, and locally, and keep our eyes on the prize of 100% renewable energy for Longmont and beyond.

Action Alert: Protect Longmont’s Air

8/17/2020

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On July 28, Longmont City Council heard from Dr. Detlev Helmig, an expert in remote monitoring of air quality, with an update on recent ethane, methane, and benzene levels in Longmont. [Click HERE for the presentation link and go to 1:42 in the meeting.] Research has shown that the presence of these compounds is directly tied to oil and gas activities. Dr Helmig has been monitoring these levels - check out today’s results HERE - along with ozone, CO2, and nitrous oxide, since 2019 at two different sites in Longmont: Union Reservoir, and Vance Brand Airport. He reported that there have been significant spikes in all of these compounds since the start of 2020, and that Longmont has exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone on several occasions during the months of June and July. The original purpose of his air quality monitoring contract was so that Longmont would have the information necessary to meet its goals, as stated in the Longmont Sustainability Plan, to increase public access to local air quality information, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Thanks to this access to air quality information, we can see the impact that oil and gas production is having to increase GHG, and the dangerous impacts on air quality and health, in Longmont. Clearly, we are going in the wrong direction in our efforts to fight the climate change emergency. In addition to moving our city to renewable energy in the long run, we must address oil and gas activity more immediately. City staff reported during this same meeting that a new access road is going in just north of Union Reservoir for a new well site which will begin drilling in September.
What can we do?
Write an email to City Council members in support of:
- The need for ongoing monitoring - if we don’t have the data, we won’t have a chance at reaching our air quality goals.
- Setting up alerts that notify the public in real time when harmful pollutants such as benzene and ozone are above recommended levels.
- Extending Dr. Helmig’s contract beyond one year. City Council will be deciding whether to contract with Boulder AIR for an additional year, and without this air quality monitoring, we are blind when it comes to setting and reaching air quality goals for our city.
In addition, you can email your state legislators, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the Air Quality Control Commission and the Boulder County Commissioners with your concerns about the impact of oil and gas operations in Weld County and their effect on the air quality in Boulder County.
And plan to virtually attend the August 25 City Council meeting, when Council will decide whether to extend Dr Helmig’s air quality monitoring contract with the City.
There has been recent research out of Harvard on the connection between poor air quality and COVID 19 deaths. During this pandemic, doesn’t Longmont deserve to have clean air to breathe? Shouldn’t we know what is in our air, and where these dangerous compounds are coming from? City Council needs to stand up for the health and well being of the residents of Longmont - and committing to air quality monitoring is one important step in the right direction.

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Support Local Sustainability with the SRL Summer Membership Drive!

8/12/2020

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Earth Day at the Museum became a Youth Panel on Climate Action. Community clean-ups morphed into a Team SRL eco-challenge. Instead of an Electric Vehicle Fair, we’ll be holding an EV Motorcade down Main Street and an EV Owners Panel this September. Even though we aren’t always out in person in the community, that doesn’t mean we aren’t working harder than ever to advocate for 100% renewable energy, educating people on how to live a zero waste lifestyle, creating new partnerships with community organizations, and finding ways to build awareness and encourage action around climate change, electric vehicles, air quality, and more. These accomplishments wouldn’t be possible without the support of our members! That’s why Sustainable Resilient Longmont is holding its first Summer Membership drive.
Here are some of our recent accomplishments:

Advocated for the City and our municipal power provider to accomplish Longmont’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 - and now, we have a commitment to close the Rawhide coal plant by 2030!

Worked with local environmental groups to support the passage of the Longmont Climate Emergency Resolution at City Council - The Climate Action Task Force has just completed their recommendations, and SRL will continue to advocate for immediate and meaningful change.

We are all being asked to increase our resilience and adaptability during these times. Please support our work to make Longmont a more sustainable and thriving city, even under these unprecedented conditions!
We are offering four different membership levels, ranging from $25 - $250.
Claim your thank you gift, while supplies last, of locally handmade reusable produce bags - or a 2020 SRL t-shirt!
We think our work is pretty important...but don’t just take it from us. Here is what some of our supporters have said recently:

“I believe SRL has been a great educational and advocacy voice in Longmont, and has immensely helped move Longmont in a more sustainable direction!”

“I love how it works with and for the public but also works closely with local government to create real structural change!”

“SRL has educated thousands of people about the important issue of local sustainability. Their efforts have produced real change. Thanks for all of the hard work!”

Become a member this summer and help us continue the hard work of fighting for a more sustainable and resilient community!

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This July, Be (Plastic) Free!

7/13/2020

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This month, we're going plastic-free with a new Zero Waste webinar, free online film screening, and eco-challenges to help reduce plastic in your life and in our community. We’ll be offering a free online screening of
The Story of Plastic, which takes a sweeping look at the human-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it. We’ll finish up the month with a free webinar on July 28: Living a Zero Waste Lifestyle in the Time of COVID. We’ve got some great speakers lined up, and local community members who are rocking the zero-waste lifestyle.
To help you get started with your zero waste, plastic-free July, we have put together two community challenges you can join this summer:

1. Plastic Free EcoChallenge: Similar to our April Earth Day EcoChallenge, this July challenge is oriented around reducing plastic consumption, especially single use plastics. Join the Sustainable Resilient Longmont team and take action to live plastic-free today!

2. SRL Summer Cleanup: Help beautify our community while enjoying the outdoors! Download the Litterati app for Apple or Android and enter the code 158536 when you create your account, or simply search nearby challenges for SRL Summer Cleanup.

Help us reach our goal of 2020 pieces of litter picked up for Summer 2020!
Please share the links to these challenges with your friends, family, and social networks!

And in some good news, Colorado Senate Bill 20-055 recently passed, which supports the development of a market for recycled materials. Instead of shipping our recyclables out of state, CO businesses will now be encouraged to include more recycled materials into their products. So Recycle It Right and know that your “trash” will become a neighbor's treasure!

Finally, SRL needs you! Be a part of the Zero Waste movement in Longmont - fill out this quick form and let us know how you want to participate and be a part of the green solution.

Thank you for supporting a plastic-free, zero waste future.

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What's Happening with Renewable Energy in Longmont?

6/9/2020

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As the days start to heat up, we are reminded of how critical it is that we continue our work supporting the rapid transition of Longmont’s electric generation away from fossil fuels. SRL and other local organizations have been hard at work pressuring decision makers in Longmont and at our power provider, PRPA, to read the writing on the wall and do the right thing: abandon climate change causing coal and gas and invest in solar, wind, and storage. To that end, here’s an update on our work.
Things are changing with the SRL Renewable Energy Committee!
The amazing Karen Dike has turned leadership over to Luc Nadeau, one of SRL’s new board members. And the Sierra Club Beyond Coal campaign is joining forces with us - allowing SRL to expand our reach and strengthen our impact. All are welcome to join us on Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:30 pm for a Zoom meeting to forge ahead with next steps.
On Tuesday, June 9th, SRL released a White Paper detailing the problems with PRPA’s current plans and calling for interim goals on the way to 100% renewable energy. Here’s an excerpt:
Portfolios 1, 2, and 4 ignore climate change and the need to rapidly move away from all carbon-based fuels. Total carbon dioxide pollution from the Rawhide power plant results in 2 million tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere per year. An additional 1 million tons, approximately, comes from the Craig power plant per year. The costs shown in the draft IRP fail to account for the social cost of carbon, which the PUC and the state legislature have recommended for utility long-range planning. It does not take into account that the EPA has deemed the Northern Front Range an ozone non-compliance area , that nitrous oxides are one of the main precursors for the formation of ground-source ozone, and that PRPA’s Rawhide coal-fired power plant is the largest single point emitter of nitrous oxides in Larimer County
Some of the other projects we’ve been involved with in the past few weeks:

Recruited several Longmont businesses to sign a letter demanding that PRPA close the Rawhide coal fired power plant and plan for the transition to green jobs;
Co-wrote a letter with Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy to PRPA (read the text here);
Sponsored a webinar with renewable energy expert Karl Rabago on how PRPA can more efficiently plan for increased RE. Watch the full version, or the 15 minute version, HERE.

SRL will continue to push for 100% renewable energy by 2030, but we need your help! Get informed and get involved: attend the Longmont Renewable Energy Committee Zoom meeting on June 23rd; sign the petition telling PRPA to keep its commitment to RE; and make your own commitment to our planet and our future by doing whatever you can to reduce your consumption of fossil fuels, encourage renewables, and GO GREEN.

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Statement of Solidarity: Social Equity and Sustainability

6/8/2020

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Sustainable Resilient Longmont stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Social equity is one of the pillars of sustainability, and there is no environmental justice without racial justice. We believe that every person, regardless of the color of their skin, deserves to be treated fairly and with respect and dignity. Specifically, we believe there is a need for meaningful, immediate law enforcement reform to stop the use of excessive violence and killing of black people at the hands of the police. We support these five demands. We are committed to working together with our Longmont community to build an active populace that rises up against hate in all forms. To this end, we call upon our community to join us in taking one or more of the following actions:

Contact your legislator to support the “Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act.” The bill includes a number of reforms, including mandating body cameras, requiring public reporting of stops, searches, forced entries and use of force, reigning in deadly force, and preventing the rehiring of corrupt officers. A link to the bill is here.
Donate to the Colorado Freedom Fund: a revolving fund that pays ransom (posts money bond, pays cash bail) for people unable to afford the cost of buying their own freedom. They also work towards ending all cash bail in our state.
Support the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition: an organization working to eliminate the overuse of the criminal justice system and advance community health and safety.

Working together for social justice, we can create a more sustainable and just city and world.

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Make Every Day Earth Day

5/11/2020

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Despite all the COVID challenges of April, SRL stayed true to its RESILIENT nature and created some great EARTH DAY MONTH activities! Starting on the first of April, 46 community members joined TEAM SRL in the Earth Day Ecochallenge. Collectively, we picked up 500 pieces of litter, saved 340 gallons of water, and composted 140 pounds of food waste. Plus, we had a great time integrating new habits into our daily lives to make our community more Earth friendly!
   “This past month I've started saving any non-recyclable disposable bags to take with me on my walks for picking up trash, and I'm going to try to keep up the habit of picking up trash on my walks all summer long!” ~ Member of Team SRL.
For more results, go HERE
SRL also drafted an Earth Day Proclamation to declare the importance of staying focused on the bigger picture of climate change, sustainability, and local resilience, even as we weather this current crisis.
   “WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as we are being forced to slow down, recognize our interdependence, and witness the Earth starting to heal, we affirm that we must protect our planet's health in order to protect human health .”
     Read the full Proclamation HERE
And finally, on Earth Day itself, we held Longmont’s first youth panel on climate change! Youth Voices on Climate Action highlighted four local high school students who spoke on transferring the sense of urgency around public health to planetary health; the effects of fracking on their communities; and turning anger into action. Thanks to panelists:
Ashwini Shrestha - Skyline High School
Maya Beauvineau - Niwot High School
Allie Hummer - Silver Creek High School,
Megan Neufeld - Silver Creek High School, and
Marlow Baines of Earth Guardians for moderating.
We look forward to watching you change the world!
Check out the recording HERE
Let’s take a stand for our home and find opportunities every day to reduce consumption, act locally, and build self-sufficiency for the health of ourselves, our future, and our Earth.

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Get Ready for a Sustainable Spring!

3/8/2020

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Maybe you’ve already started planning the ways you will be going GREEN this Spring, (which is just around the corner!) Here are some ideas to incorporate into your plans…

Join a CSA! There are so many great farms in the area, and what a great way to support local agriculture, which cuts down on emissions and packaging waste by sourcing fruits, veggies and flowers locally.
The Longmont Farmers’ Market starts up April 4. Another great way to support low carbon eating, carbon sequestration, pollinators, and the local Longmont community.
Sign up for Curbside Composting! Spring is around the corner and it’s a great time for those who have not signed up for compost to subscribe in time for Spring clean-up.
The City, Longmont utilities, and Resource Central partner together to offer some great programs for Longmont residents:

Tackle that problem area in your yard once and for all by planting a beautiful, water-wise Garden In A Box this spring. Professionally designed for Colorado yards, these kits are super easy to use and can help you save around 7,300 gallons of water over the garden’s lifetime compared to a traditional grass lawn (not to mention helping you save on your water bill). Gardens are now on sale, and Longmont residents can qualify for a $25 discount. It is estimated that this program has saved 135 million gallons of water!

City of Longmont residents are also eligible for a no-cost Slow the Flow in-ground sprinkler inspection. The consultant will deliver a clear and actionable list of suggestions to reduce water use and runoff at each property while keeping landscapes and lawns healthy.

Each spring, Resource Central partners with local water providers to offer seminars on the how-to's of DIY Xeriscaping, plant selection, garden design, and other sustainable landscaping practices. Seminars are offered at no cost and are open to everyone! The seminar season begins in March and goes through April. The next WaterWise seminar in Longmont is: Rain Barrels: The Basics, The Benefits, and How to Install Your Own, on April 6 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Senior Center.

Please join us at City Council on March 31 to demand that the City do more to reduce our waste and green-up our community by implementing Universal Composting and Commercial Recycling and Composting. For a sobering story on plastic, check out this Rolling Stone article, "Planet Plastic".
Thanks to Longmont’s Rep Jonathan Singer for sponsoring a bill to ban styrofoam!
Let’s take advantage of the great opportunities in our community to reduce our use of natural resources, and live GREENER in the process!

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Love Your Mother: Take Action for Sustainability in Longmont!

2/6/2020

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Did you know that Longmont emitted about 740,000 tons of CO2 from electricity production, oil, and gas, in 2016 alone? Plus, our gasoline powered vehicles emitted an additional 144,000 tons of CO2 that year. A recent study shows that Longmont has the ability to reduce its core greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 63% in 2030, but it’s going to take all of us showing up to make that happen. February is the month of love...and in addition to expressing love (in sustainable ways) to your nearest and dearest, there are some great opportunities coming up to show your love for Mother Earth here in Longmont - and make sure that we stop being a part of the problem!

Speak at a Climate Action Task Force meeting to be a part of the solution to the Climate Emergency (Feb 27, March 5)
Attend our Renewable Energy Committee Meeting (Feb 13)
Join Winter Bike to Work Day! (Feb 14)
Check out our free Climate & Energy in 2020 event (Feb 19)
Show up at City Council to support improved composting and recycling programs (Feb 25)
Let Platte River Power Authority know how important transitioning to 100% renewable energy is at a community focus group session (Mar 4)

Check out the City’s Simple Ways to Build Sustainability into Your Daily Life. And to encourage them to go further, tell Longmont to go all in on all-electric new home construction.
These ideas are just a sample of the growing movement in Longmont.

As they say, “Love is a Verb.”
Get into ACTION this month and show Mother Earth
how much you love our home.

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<<Previous

Simplify the Holidays!

Longmont Drive Electric Week

Action Alert: Protect Longmont’s Air

Support Local Sustainability with the SRL Summer Membership Drive!

This July, Be (Plastic) Free!

What's Happening with Renewable Energy in Longmont?

Statement of Solidarity: Social Equity and Sustainability

Make Every Day Earth Day

Get Ready for a Sustainable Spring!

Love Your Mother: Take Action for Sustainability in Longmont!

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