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Get Involved in Making Longmont More Sustainable in 2020

1/21/2020

Another year has begun, and there are more opportunities than ever to get involved and do our part in making sure that our City is made more sustainable, equitable, and vibrant. If not now, when? The world isn’t getting any cooler (2019 was the second hottest year on record according to NASA and NOAA), and it is ever more important that we continue to light a fire under our local decision makers (and ourselves!) to ACT NOW.
Here are some ideas. Please add to them and make a commitment to get involved in 2020!

Get more involved in local environmental efforts. Attend a City Sustainability Coalition meeting. Speak up at City Council on Tuesday nights. If you work in Longmont, ask your business what they are doing to become more sustainable, and/or suggest that they join the Sustainable Business Program.
Learn about some of the many environmental ballot initiatives (like this one about fracking setbacks) that will be up for debate in 2020.
Write letters and sign petitions (like this one to end the plastic bag ban preemption) and show up to support the ones you care about.
Ride the bus for free. Carpool. Walk.
BYO mug, bag, container, bottle, etc. Shop at Simply Bulk and reduce packaging waste.
Get more involved with SRL! Become a Board Member. Attend a Zero Waste or Renewable Energy Committee Meeting. Become a monthly donor. Help out at Longmont’s Earth Day on April 25 or by tabling at the Farmers’ Market.

We hope to see you at one of the many great events we are planning for 2020. Thanks for doing your part!

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Top 10 Reasons to Give to SRL

1/1/2020

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As we end 2019, we know there are a multitude of requests for support from other local and global causes. So we thought we’d share with you what we consider to be the Top 10 Reasons to support SRL’s work and prepare us for a year of action, advocacy, and education in 2020:
Reason #10: 5,000 tons of compost diverted from the landfill since the inception of the curbside compost program, thanks to SRL’s efforts. Click here to sign up for curbside composting and help reduce your home’s methane and waste!
Reason #9: 2,500 people educated in Longmont this year on methods to make our City more sustainable in an era of climate change. Let us know where we should focus our efforts in 2020!
Reason #8: We continued to advocate for the City to achieve the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, including ensuring that the Integrated Resource Plan considers renewables as part of the planning process. Join our Renewable Energy committee!
Reason #7: Organized Longmont’s first Electric Vehicle Fair, where 600 people were educated about the opportunity to transition their transportation away from fossil fuels. Check out this video of the EV Fair!
Reason #6: Support a local grassroots organization - 100% of your donations stay in our community. Think globally, give locally!
Reason #5: Educated and empowered youth as part of the 5th annual Longmont Earth Day Celebration. Join our Earth Day committee to help plan the 2020 event!
Reason #4: Supported the passage of the Longmont Climate Emergency Resolution.
Check out the Resolution HERE.
Reason #3: Highlighted where each candidate for Council and Mayor stood on environmental issues at our 2019 Candidate Forum. Check out the video by the Longmont Observer HERE.
Reason #2: Support SRL to reach more local youth, helping the next generation to GO GREEN.
“I want to grow up, and I want the world to be better than it is now. My teachers always say, 'Leave something better than you found it.' And so that's what I plan to do."
~ Coral Buchalter, SRL Youth Environmental Stewardship Award Winner, Age 10
Reason #1: The future of our planet depends on action at the local level to combat climate change. Join SRL and take action now!
Please become a supporting member of SRL by donating HERE. Or contact us if you’d like to set up a monthly or yearly recurring donation to support our work to make Longmont thrive!

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A Year of Giving [Back to Longmont]

11/19/2019

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From left to right: Senator Mike Foote, Shari Malloy, Coral Buchalter, US Congressman Joe Neguse, Abby Driscoll, Trista Rucks.

As we near the end of 2019, SRL is grateful for all the community support, and opportunities to bring about change, that we’ve had this past year.

October was an incredibly full month, with the unanimous passage of the Emergency Climate Resolution at City Council where we were joined by members of the Silver Creek HS Environmental Club; the Climate & Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum with candidates for Mayor and City Council; a Town Hall with PRPA, our local power authority; and the Sustainability Awards, where we were fortunate to host Representative Joe Neguse and honor five members of our community who have shown outstanding service and leadership in the area of sustainability. The Longmont community donated some amazing items to our silent auction, and our live auction with State Representative Jonathan Singer inspired the generosity of those attending. September saw SRL speerheading Longmont’s declaration of Electric Vehicle Week, and in collaboration with other environmental groups, the community’s first Electric Vehicle Fair, where over 600 people attended. Speakers featured Colorado Department of Transportation Director Shoshana Lew, Senator Mike Foote, and Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones. In July, our first program coordinator began work for SRL, and in June we held a successful Community Clean-Up. The 5th annual Earth Day in April was attended by more than 700 people.

Throughout all this work, we’ve been blessed by numerous volunteers helping at these events, tabling at the Farmers’ Market, hanging flyers, inviting friends to participate, gathering at City Council, and so much more. In addition, this Fall SRL was awarded two local grants to support our continued work in the community - thank you to the Community Foundation of Boulder County and the Longmont Community Foundation Left Hand Giving Circle for your generous support! And we are grateful for the positive local press in the Times Call and Longmont Observer.

As we prepare for another year of important work ensuring that the momentum continues to build - that the Climate Resolution results in concrete action, and that PRPA moves towards renewable energy more rapidly - we continue to rely on the support of the community. We are looking for volunteers on our Zero Waste Committee; we need new Board Members; and we are seeking ways to engage local youth in our work. Please come find out more about these opportunities at our Holiday Gathering on December 5th. This is a free and informal chance to learn more about our accomplishments, where we are heading, and what we’ll need to get there.

Thank You Longmont, for all of these opportunities to bring about critical change. Let’s continue to work together to promote a more sustainable future for Longmont.

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Climate Emergency Resolution Headed to Longmont City Council in the Wake of Worldwide Climate Strike

9/26/2019

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Photo credit: Jonathan Singer

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teen who has become a touchstone of the climate emergency movement, said recently: “For way too long, the politicians and the people in power have gotten away with not doing anything at all to fight the climate crisis and the ecological crisis. But we will make sure that they will not get away with it any longer.” On Friday, September 20, millions of people all around the globe stood up to make their voices heard in the Youth Climate Strike to demand a Green New Deal, restoration of biodiversity, environmental justice, and more. A climate strike was held in Longmont as well, with hundreds of people showing up to voice their concern about what is happening to our planet. And dozens of cities around the country, as well as members of Congress, are declaring a climate emergency. Longmont City Council will vote on whether to do the same on Tuesday, October 8th.
“...It is the intent of the City of Longmont to do everything in its power to swiftly convert to an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable economy and to reduce community-wide carbon emissions as much and as quickly as possible; ...and that the City re-affirms its goal of supporting 100% electric energy generation by 2030 or earlier, and further directs City staff and PRPA to shorten the time period to the earliest technologically feasible date, to more adequately address the severity of the climate crisis...” (Read the full resolution below)

Come support Longmont doing our part to keep atmospheric warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (the level at which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we can minimize the more catastrophic effects of global warming), and join us on October 8th to demand that Longmont declare a Climate Emergency and take immediate and accelerated action to address the climate crisis.

Then, on Wednesday, October 9th, SRL will be hosting the Longmont Climate and Sustainability Issues Candidate Forum. If you will be voting for Longmont City Council and Mayor in November, come find out where each candidate stands on the climate and sustainability. You can submit your own questions HERE. This event is free and will be at the Longmont Public Library from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Join us on October 8 and 9 and let our leaders and would be leaders know that Longmont demands concrete and immediate action be taken now!

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONGMONT, COLORADO DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND ESTABLISHING LONGMONT’S INTENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE AND ACCELERATED ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS.
WHEREAS, climate change is an urgent unfolding crisis that presents a serious threat to human existence; and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a special report on the impact of global warming and the need to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions earlier than 2030 to hold atmospheric warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the most catastrophic impact of climate change; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, the United States’ Fourth National Climate Assessment made it clear that climate change will wreak havoc across the United States, and that the current pace and scale of climate action is not sufficient to avoid substantial damage to the economy, the environment and to human health over the coming decades; and
WHEREAS, Longmont and the rest of Colorado, already suffers from the impacts of climate change in the form of drought, air pollution, extreme heat, species stress, negative health effects, and floods, and these disasters will become more severe as global GHG emissions continue to poison the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS, climate change will increasingly make basic human necessities more expensive and difficult to obtain; and
WHEREAS, throughout the United States, frontline communities have historically borne the brunt of longstanding environmental injustice including fossil-fuel created degradation and it is acknowledged that these communities must actively participate in the planning, decision-making, and implementation of climate action and must benefit equally from a just transition to a sustainable and equitable economy; and
WHEREAS, to stay within 1.5 degrees Celsius, cities and nations throughout the world will need to significantly reduce their per capita emissions by 2030 or earlier; and
WHEREAS, restoring a safe and stable climate will require mobilization at all levels of government and society on a scale, scope, and speed not seen since World War II; and
WHEREAS, efforts to control climate change will have many benefits such as cleaner air and water, improved health, local employment, cost savings for households, businesses, and the city, and the creation of a stronger and more resilient community; and
WHEREAS, Longmont City Council took a decisive leadership role by committing to 100% renewable electricity supply by 2030 and through the Platte River Power Authority Board started our region on a mandate for conversion to renewable energy; and
WHEREAS, The Longmont Sustainability Plan, adopted in 2016, provides a road map for Longmont to achieve the vision of becoming an engaged community that promotes environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social equity to create a sustainable and thriving future for all; and
WHEREAS, Longmont has already taken steps to lower GHG emissions by passing the 2030 renewable electricity supply resolution above. It is acknowledged that such steps are not sufficient, in and of themselves, to adequately address the magnitude of the climate emergency; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Longmont hereby declares a state of climate emergency and that the global climate crisis poses a serious, urgent and pressing threat to the well-being of Longmont, its inhabitants, economy, and environment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is the intent of the City of Longmont to do everything in its power to swiftly convert to an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable economy and to reduce community-wide carbon emissions as much and as quickly as possible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City re-affirms its goal of supporting 100% electric energy generation by 2030 or earlier, and further directs City staff and PRPA to shorten the time period to the earliest technologically feasible date, to more adequately address the severity of the climate crisis; and 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City government must work and partner with residents, businesses, and community groups to educate our community about the climate emergency; including holding public meetings about the crisis, and must work to catalyze a just transition and climate emergency mobilization effort at the local, state, national and global levels, to provide maximum protection to our residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Longmont City Council will convene a climate working group composed of City staff, other subject matter experts, partners, concerned residents, including those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, to discuss further steps the City should take to promote a carbon-free, sustainable city, with the goal of creating and submitting a report outlining such steps within 120 days of this resolution, and quarterly thereafter, and;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Longmont calls upon the State of Colorado, the United States of America, and all governments and peoples worldwide to initiate a Climate Emergency Mobilization and Just Transition effort to reverse global warming by restoring near pre-industrial global average temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations, that halts the development of new fossil fuel infrastructure, rapidly phases out all fossil fuels and the technologies which rely upon them, transitions to regenerative agriculture, works to end the sixth mass extinction of species, creates high-quality, well-paying jobs with comprehensive benefits, mitigates the potentially adverse impacts to those who will be most impacted by this transition, and results in an equitable, inclusive and resilient community for all.

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Drive Electric!

8/19/2019

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There is big news in the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) world! Last week, Colorado’s Air Quality Control Commission passed a ZEV mandate. This was done to help address the fact that the Denver metro area has been out of compliance with Federal air quality standards since 2008. By 2023, 4.9% of a manufacturer’s new vehicles for sale in the state must be electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids, or others that produce zero emissions. There are at least 48 passenger ZEV models available, with dozens more hybrid plug ins that run partially on gas, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and Global Automakers are on board with Colorado becoming a ZEV state. In more good news, RTD is buying 17 new electric buses and charging stations, making it one of the biggest fleets of electric buses in the country. And to address the issue of non renewables powering EVs, Governor Polis has set a goal of powering Colorado’s electric grid from 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2040, which would further cut vehicle emissions. This is in addition to the Executive Order he signed to get more electric vehicles on Colorado roads.

To help celebrate all of this positive momentum, on Sunday, September 15th, SRL is proud to be co-hosting Longmont’s first Electric Vehicle Fair as part of National Drive Electric Week! Started in 2011, the goal of this national week-long focus on electric plug-in and hybrid plug-in vehicles is to heighten awareness and highlight the benefits of these low emissions, fun-to-drive cars. It is estimated that a consumer can save $10,000 on fuel and maintenance costs over the life of the car. SRL is partnering with several other Longmont groups to showcase the variety and enthusiasm for EVs among local residents. So far, 18 EV owners (including owners of Tesla models 3, X and S) have signed up to offer rides and share their experience with owning and driving electric vehicles. To register your vehicle please click here. Confirmed speakers include State Senator Mike Foote and Longmont Mayor Brian Bagley, on what the state and City are doing to move forward with EVs. Valley Nissan, King Chevrolet and Green-Eyed Motors will be among the auto dealers offering vehicle displays and ride and drives. Business vendors include the Boulder County and Longmont Sustainability Programs, EcoMark Solar, Namaste Solar, the Platte River Power Authority, and more. There will also be information about rebates and incentives to drive electric. Food trucks, live music, a kids tent and free face painting will make this a fun, family-friendly event!
For more information, please visit our website at http://www.srlongmont.org/renewable-energy.html or to sign up to volunteer, click HERE.

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How to Reduce Your Waste!

7/18/2019

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There are so many good ways to help cut down on the materials that we use and dispose of. Why not add a few more to your repertoire?

PLASTIC FREE JULY is a global movement to reduce the amount of plastic we consume. Choose to refuse single use plastics! Check out this website for lots of great ideas and support. Create some new habits and make a massive difference in cleaning up our world!

In some good news, more and more major companies are committed to using 100% recycled plastics in their packaging.

DID YOU KNOW? The Saint Vrain River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Our trash impacts other communities, the ocean, and all the wildlife along the way. In 2018, Longmont only diverted 36% of our waste to recycling and composting (Loveland diverted 60%)...that means the rest of what we dispose of goes into the landfill - which was 30,000 tons in 2018! If you don't already compost your food scraps and yard waste, start today with the city's Curbside Composting. The City of Longmont has developed a Waste Wizard where you can type in the item you want to dispose of and it will tell you where it belongs. And Waste Services is supporting the St Vrain Valley School District to divert more of its trash away from the landfill and into recycling and composting, including installing recycling bins at the Longmont High School football field. Let's participate in our city's efforts to get our trash where it can do the least harm.

AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, Colorado just passed a bipartisan bill called the Front Range Waste Diversion Enterprise Grant Program, which will increase waste diversion efforts on the Front Range. Residents of Longmont will benefit from this program, but our user fees will not increase.

Please help support one of SRL's main goals: ZERO WASTE. As individuals, organizations, and communities, we can make a difference in preserving the health and beauty of our world.

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Forward>>

Get Involved in Making Longmont More Sustainable in 2020

Top 10 Reasons to Give to SRL

A Year of Giving [Back to Longmont]

Climate Emergency Resolution Headed to Longmont City Council in the Wake of Worldwide Climate Strike

Drive Electric!

How to Reduce Your Waste!

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