Climate Change forum, affiliated with COP21, held in Dallas

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Naima

The Climate Extremes conference, affiliated with the upcoming COP21 Paris, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, was held this past week in Dallas. In Dallas! Dallas is joining the worldwide conversation on climate change, and even City of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings was there with some inspiring words and remarked on the perception of our city.

“I think a lot of people across this country and across the world would probably be shocked if they heard that the mayor of Dallas was hosting a conference, in Dallas, focused on climate change,” Mayor Rawlings said, “but I think it’s important because it’s real and we gotta deal with it.” Mayor Rawlings went on to highlight the importance of dealing with climate change to continue to attract businesses to our city and help ease the effects on every member of the pubic, especially people who are most affected by extreme changes, the “have nots.” Mayor Rawlings also announced the new green initiatives by the city to combat climate change, including a goal to reduce municipal emissions by 39 percent by the year 2017. Starting in 2016 the city will begin buying renewable energy credits to reduce energy emissions to zero.

FullSizeRender 3The four and one half hour conference held at the SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity hosted local and international leaders discussing climate change impacts and emphasizing collaboration to solve problems.

Consul General of France in Houston, Sujiro Seam, spoke in his French accent, about the importance for Dallas to take an interest in climate change issues. Seam said, “Climate extremes matter for Dallas Fort Worth, everybody cares about drought, floods, heat waves, cold tornadoes, water scarcity, air quality.”

Dr. Bruce McCarl, agricultural economist at Texas A&M University, outlined the change in our climate to date, the harsh effects on agriculture, and a few scenarios on what we can do about it. McCarl gave us the data leading to serious consequences. “Texas is very vulnerable,”McCarl said, “we will be squeezed.” He also made us giggle about the room temperature, throwing in, “I think they could hang meat in here.”

Garrett Boone, co-founder of The Container Store, spoke of his ironic journey advocating for energy efficiency while owning an “energy hog” home in North Dallas. The vision to create a sustainable home improvement store, which empowered people to make good decisions about their home, led to Boone becoming Chairman of the Board of treehouse.co (an Austin-based green home products store). Boone answered a panel question on the success of their solar sales by highlighting the way products are sold, “You have to make the buying decision easy for people.” Good news: TreeHouse is hopefully coming to Dallas, next year!

Trammel Crow rattled off some green statistics but ultimately invited members of the marketplace, city departments and community organizations to continue the conversation and collaboration at Earth Day Texas in April, an event Crow described himself as “A hotbed of activism, but based on a foundation of business.”

Lee Collum, KERA host and journalist, did an excellent job moderating the sessions by asking insightful questions and adding some of her own remarks. “The almighty can’t be counted on to bail us out of our indifference” said Collum as the panel discussed the impact climate change is having on our agricultural systems, water issues and the role trees have in cooling the climate.

Climate Extremes organizer and director of the SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, Dr. Eva Csaky, closed out the event encouraging our local community to make change happen. Csaky said: “The ultimate goal is to take action and to make some projects and initiatives happen here in Dallas that do address the intersection of climate change and poverty.”

Many aspects of climate change were packed into a short forum leaving us excited for the continued build up to the COP21 in Paris. At the COP21, leaders from around the world will “aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, with the aim of keeping global warming below 2°C.” There are high hopes for the COP2 to be collaborative, insightful and provide the world’s leaders, including Dallas, with a high standard that we all will attain. The Climate Extremes conference sparked a collaborative dynamic at the local level to create a climate smart city here in Dallas – let’s keep moving forward.

Climate Extremes organizers from left: Dr. Eva Csaky, Sujiro Seam, and Anna Clark (EarthPeopleMedia.com).

Climate Extremes organizers from left: Dr. Eva Csaky, Sujiro Seam, and Anna Clark (EarthPeopleMedia.com).

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly. 

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Whether you drink beer or not, supporting our local breweries is sustainable

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Naima

For some, the feel of fall comes in the sip of a pumpkin spice latte, and for others the cooler weather brings the anticipation of another beverage, fall beer. Although I reside on the latte side of that spectrum, I’m not blind to our community’s love of beer. In the last few years breweries have popped up in neighborhoods and city center, showcasing their unique hop brewing abilities. The local beer market has exploded, pushing me to take a closer look at the connection of beer and the environment.

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What is the environmental impact of this frothy Deep Ellum Blonde beer waiting to be devoured at Hopdoddy Burger Bar on McKinney Avenue?

The largest impact beer has on the environment is the water used in the brewing process. On average in the U.S., it takes seven barrels of water to produce one barrel of beer. And 70 percent of the water used in the process (consider cleaning, heating, etc), is discharged as waste. But many breweries have noticed this waste and have invested in systems to recirculate wasted water into other aspects of the brewing process.

The brewing process also requires a substantial amount of electricity, yet can be offset with modifications and utilizing renewable resources. Many breweries around the county are focusing on sustainability efforts. New Belgium Brewing Company in Colorado, utilizes solar energy, purchases wind credits from their utility company, and is capturing methane from their brewing process and using it to generation electricity. Franconia Brewery in local McKinney, Texas operates in an energy efficient building and uses Green Mountain Energy, known for offering the choice of renewable energy, as their utility company.

Breweries are also looking at the whole systems approach and trying to minimize the carbon footprint of brewing your frosty beverage. The Alaskan Brewing Company was the first U.S. brewery to install a carbon reclamation system, which captures carbon dioxide released during the brewing process and uses it to package the beer and purge oxygen from holding tanks. Reusing carbon dioxide on site, reduces the amount of the greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere and eliminates the need to purchase and ship carbon dioxide to the plant. Many breweries are also selling or giving away their used grains to nearby farms to be used as livestock feed.

Transporting beer is environmentally costly, which is why local beer is always best to purchase. Choose a tap beer when dining out to reduce waste since glasses and kegs can be reused. Local canned beer is your next choice because aluminum is lighter to ship and easier to recycle than glass.

While you’re at a local restaurant, make sure to encourage them to recycle. Only a handful of restaurants in Dallas are making this commitment to the environment. Hopdoddy Burger Bar, on McKinney Avenue, is placing the environment at top priority by recycling, composting food waste, and of course, serving up great local beers to pair with their juicy burgers. Hopdoddy, named after the union of burgers and beer, serves up several of the local drafts and also sources as much meat, produce and dairy from local ranchers and farmers. To find out where their meat is from, just check their wall — a list of mostly local suppliers proudly decorates one of their walls.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar on McKinney.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar on McKinney Ave in Dallas.

Even if you aren’t a huge beer drinker, the local breweries are also serving our community in other sustainable ways. Earth Day Texas is kicking off a new initiative to extend the environmental talk year round. In collaboration with The Westwood School, the new Earth Day Monthlies (EDMo) will take place the third Thursday of every month at a local brewery. As Earth Day Texas puts it, “The way we see it, reducing your carbon footprint by supporting local breweries is a great place to start implementing save-the-planet practices!” The first EDMo will highlight how local food is a source for social good in Dallas County, held on Sept. 17 at Craft and Growler, followed by Oct. 15 at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company.

Whether you drink beer or not, supporting our local breweries and businesses that sell local beer, and encouraging these same businesses to be more sustainable is good for our community.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly. 

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Here is an easy one: Don’t Idle

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Naima

How often is your car on but not moving? The amount of time our vehicles are left idling is increasing every year. From the school parking lot to the drive-through, we waste large amounts of fuel and expel too much carbon dioxide for no valid reason. The U.S. Department of Energy reports an estimated 6 billion gallons of fuel annually is wasted from idling vehicles.

Stop by a local school about 30 minutes before the kids are let out, and you are bound to see cars lined up. The cars, many SUVs and trucks here in Texas, are waiting for their kids inside air conditioned idling cars. School buses and parents waiting in idling vehicles is not only damaging the environment but also has an effect on the kids. Kids breathe more air in relation to their body weight than adults and are therefore more susceptible to air pollution. Vehicle emissions have been linked to respiratory problems and triggering severe asthma attacks in children. For better air quality consider turning off the vehicle and finding a spot to wait in the shade.

Idling cars build up at a local school.

Idling cars build up at a local school.

The myth that your car takes more energy to shut down and turn back on is not accurate. Studies have shown a light duty car that idles for more than 10 seconds burns more fuel and emits more greenhouse gases than shutting down the engine and starting it again. Ten seconds. Modern cars do not need long periods of time to warm up, even in cold temperatures. The best way to warm up your car, is to drive it.

But what about taking the bus? It takes less energy for kids to take the bus than it does for individual cars to drop off and pick up children. Buses should also not be idling. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that diesel exhaust is a likely human carcinogen and can contribute to other acute and chronic health concerns. Buses can not idle for more than thirty minutes under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s (TCEQ) Idling Limitation Rule (EngineOffNorthTexas.org). And if you see a car or bus idling excessively, you can report them by calling 1-877-NTX-IDLE or talk to your school and order free signage from the EngineOffNorthTexas.org to encourage your community to turn off their vehicles.

Sometimes idling can’t be avoided such as in traffic congestion. The relatively new mobile app, Waze, helps avoid traffic congestion and keeps you moving, reducing your commute and carbon emissions. How you drive also impacts the amount of greenhouse gases your car emits. To save gas and reduce emissions try eco-friendly driving which works no matter the make and model of your vehicle. Follow simple tips such as the following: drive smooth by anticipating changes in the traffic early to avoid jerky braking and acceleration; shift gears sooner to maintain the vehicle in an optimum revolution range; and drive the speed limit.

Companies are coming up with technology advances that reduce idling emissions in cars and trucks. Hybrid, electric and new diesel engines conserve energy by shutting off when not needed (red lights, stop signs and other idling situations). Trucking companies have had to come up with creative ways to be reduce idling. Large trucks often idle in rest areas to provide power for heat, air conditioning, refrigeration and other systems in their cabs, burning billions of gallons of diesel each year. Rest areas now offer power outlets for truck usage which wastes less energy than idling, while some trucks are equipped with truck mounted systems that cool or heat the cab without idling.

People often ask me what is a simple way they can help the environment or be more healthy? A simple answer is, Don’t idle. Next time you are thinking about getting fast food, or stopping at your bank, park your car and go inside to avoid idling in the drive-through. It’s a quick easy way you can make a difference for our health and the environment.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly. 

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Light pollution problems

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Naima

When I lay my head down at night, if the blackout curtains are a little off center, somehow the glaring light from a street lamp makes a straight line right to my eyes. Without the curtains, my bedroom would be brighter than daylight, with a flooding glow from the street lights and nearby apartment lights. These lights aren’t only making me get up to adjust the curtains; they are also pollution to our environment.

That’s right, I said pollution, light pollution. Normally when we think of pollution we think of trash, chemicals or sea turtles stuck in plastic six-pack rings. But light pollution is artificial outdoor light that negatively impacts our ecosystems and human health. Light at night affects our circadian clock and our sleep hormone melatonin. It can lead to sleep disorders, and new research is investigating a link between light pollution and breast cancer.

Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to light up our dark evenings and increasingly make nighttime brighter. Excessive outdoor nightlights burn energy, disrupt wildlife and ecosystems, and interfere with our ability to see the stars. Earlier in August, we had the opportunity to view the spectacular Perseid Meteor shower, a sky full of shooting stars, but it was recommended to get out into the country, hours from the city, to get a clear view. The big glow effect of a city from a distance is called sky glow, which is caused by reflected and upward directed light. Simply shielding light downwards can reduce light pollution.

We’ve come a long way since incandescent light bulbs, which use a lot of energy. Light bulbs used in today’s world, such as compact fluorescent (CFL), light-emitting diodes (LED) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) differ in their energy usage, lifespan and output of wavelengths of light. Recently consumers and cities have been changing to energy efficient LED lights, yet studies are finding they come with an ecologic drawback. In a published study (Pawson and Bader, 2014) done in New Zealand, scientists compared the use of LED and HPS lightbulbs (often used for street lights) and found on average LED lights captured 48 percent more insects than HPS lights. The study stated that LED use may exacerbate ecological impacts and urged for collaboration between ecologists and electrical engineers to minimize potential effects.

Light pollution also affects other plants and animals, even here in Dallas. Light pollution can prevent trees from adjusting to seasons, alter animal behaviors and disrupt breeding cycles. The Trinity River Corridor is a light pollution refuge for much of our wildlife. Take a look at the light pollution map of Dallas at LightPollutionMap.info with data at the Earth Observation Group and NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. Even though Dallas is submersed in high-density light pollution, you can easily make out the Trinity River Corridor. As we develop the corridor into a usable green space and possible site of more roads, we should place a high priority on its hard-to-see importance as a nocturnal that sanctuary for urban wildlife.

The Trinity River Corridor is a light pollution refuge for urban nocturnal wildlife.

The Trinity River Corridor is a light pollution refuge for urban nocturnal wildlife.

Light pollution increases more each year and can even be seen from space. Mapping and understanding where light pollution is and comparing ecology in subsequent years and from areas with no light pollution, are important for maintaining a healthy environment. Cities at Night (citiesatnight.org) is a project to map light pollution in cities around the world using photographs from the International Space Station. Their goal is to create a Google Maps style map by having the general public (like you) view beautiful space pictures and to help classify and calibrate images through fun-to-use apps. This will produce new data made available to scientists to improve light pollution research and ultimately help cites choose cost effective, energy efficient and ecologically improved lighting.

But the light that went up outside my bedroom was in response to an attack on an elderly person outside a nearby restaurant. The light pollution in the city is a complicated issue, but preserving pockets of less light, shielding upward light and engineering low ecologic damaging light bulbs will maintain the health of our ecosystems while also keeping our city safe.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly.

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Dallas – a green space paradise!

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Naima

The water in the Trinity River is finally starting to recede, and water levels are almost back to regular flow. In part, that’s good news for the surrounding habitat, but also means we have been in a bit of a drought. Let’s stick with the positives for this column and focus on all of that space we will have access to again.

I recently met with The Trinity Trust (thetrinitytrust.org) to find out more about the outdoor spaces available to us here in the big city of Dallas. I was blown away by how much I still have not been to and have not even heard of! Did you know about Crow Lake Park, and the story that legendary Dallas developer Trammell Crow dug the lake himself? I stopped by Crow Lake Park on Saturday, located at 3700 Sylvan Ave., and although the driveway and parking lot are still closed off for now, I was impressed with the beautiful view of the Dallas skyline.

Dallas skyline from Crow Lake Park

Dallas skyline from Crow Lake Park

Or have you been out to Hines Park, the Buckeye Trail, Moore Park Gateway, Coombs Creek Trail or the Goat Island Nature Preserve? All of these hidden jewels are just minutes from downtown and with water receding each day, access to these parks will slowly be opening back up.

The Trinity Trust is working with the City of Dallas (trinityrivercorridor.com), local nonprofits such as Trinity Commons Foundation, companies and organizations to revitalize and bring life to the Trinity River Corridor, a green space far bigger than New York City’s Central Park. They are in the plan, fundraise and vision phase, and their dream plans look amazing. There are all kinds of ideas, such as a disc golf course, skate park, zip line, nature playscapes, basketball courts and soccer fields, and pop-up plazas. And if we get the big floods like we had this year, everything would be designed to withstand the water or be removed. If we lose temporary access to the Trinity River Corridor because of floods, it will most likely be during the hottest part of the year, when most people hibernate in the cold air conditioning anyway.

Project plans also consider better access and trails connecting downtown to the Trinity River Corridor. Dream with me, and imagine walking from downtown to the Continental bridge and below to more park amenities. That current walk or bike ride is nothing but treacherous, but with a dedicated trail like the Katy Trail, that walk could encourage you to take a long lunch break outside.

The best part about all of this is your voice matters. To find out exactly what the Trinity Trust is up to, you can attend one of their monthly Trinity Center After Hours informal open house events. Find out the latest project updates, get a birds eye view with large-scale models and maps, and ask questions and comments of the design process. The next After Hours event is Sept. 8, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Trinity Center located at 1444 Oak Lawn Ave., Suite 200.

Upcoming events like the Wind Festival (trinityriverwindfestival.com) on October 24 is a fun way to explore the park and imagine the future possibilities for the green space. Judy R. Schmidt, Manager for Trinity Watershed Management, says the event will be “Wind driven recreational fun of all kinds like Japanese kite making, show kites, wild birds, free kite giveaways, frisbee dogs, and enjoying the freedom of being outdoors with family and friends.”

The Trinity River corridor is also an important place for wildlife in our large urban environment. Dallas is located in the Central Flyway, an important bird migration route from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. Safe areas, like the Trinity River Corridor, are used by birds as stopover points to refuel and rest on their long migrations. As you head out to these outdoor spots in Dallas, bring some binoculars and download one of the many bird apps on your mobile device to spot rare sightings in spring and fall.

I can smell the cooler weather on it’s way in the first morning’s breath. I’m looking forward to kayaking the Dallas Wave on the Trinity River, just south of downtown Dallas and getting out to explore what you wouldn’t expect from a big Texas city: a green space paradise!

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly.

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Make sure our water isn’t contaminated

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Naima

On the weekends, thousands of us retreat to the various lakes surrounding our city to cool off. Lounging on boats, kayaks, tubes, noodles or anything that floats is our opportunity to find some relief from the triple digit temperatures. Lakes across the country are used for recreation use, as well as water supply. The average American uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day and some estimates go as high as 500 gallons per day. From washing dishes to watering plants, we use a lot of water, and what if the water was contaminated?

Last summer, the city of Toledo, Ohio was forced to ban the drinking of their tap water, affecting more than 400,000 residents. People drove miles to nearby towns emptying stores of bottle water. The cause of the ban on tap water was a toxin produced by an algae bloom. Late summer is the time of year when conditions are warm enough to create algae blooms even in our very own North Texas lakes. Some people in the DFW area notice a change in the taste of water this time of year. North Texas Municipal Water District has an entire web page focusing on the taste issue. “The taste and odor is a palatability issue. The palatability change that results from a naturally occurring algal bloom does not alter the quality of the water provided to the cities and the communities served.”

Algae blooms are natural, but our human activities have caused an increase in their strength leading to problems. In Toledo, the intense algae bloom was caused by the subtle effects of climate change, such as increase in rainfall, less wind and invasive species. Algae blooms intensify from an influx of enriched nutrients in fertilizers and phosphorous applied to farmlands, which flow into warm lake water. Harmful algae blooms can have various impacts on freshwater and marine ecosystems and have led to fish kills: large numbers of dead fish or marine life washed up on lake shores. In Lake Erie, near Toledo, the algae bloom produced a high level of a toxin, microcystin in the water, making it harmful for consumption.

Algae blooms in our North Texas lakes are common and haven’t reached a level to cause major damage … yet. Cities around the country are keeping a close eye on their local water supplies to monitor the algae blooms. Some cities are even taking extreme measures to maintain water quality. This past week in Los Angeles, city officials released “shade balls” destined to float on the top of lakes to block sunlight and protect area lakes from harmful algae blooms and lessen evaporation. The plastic balls will hopefully save 300 million gallons of water, are BPA free and said to have a life span of 10 years after which they will be recycled and replaced. Algae blooms are in the news right now across the country from the east coast to the west where one of the largest blooms spans 40 miles wide along the coast from California to Alaska.

So how do we reduce the harmful algae blooms? Attack the problem from the source: excess nutrient runoff. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently said it would invest an additional $5 million in a project designed to reduce phosphorus runoff from farm fields. Cities also contribute to phosphorous runoff through lawn fertilizers. When it rains, fertilizers meant for yards and building landscapes rush onto the impervious surfaces (roads, sidewalks, parking lots) and wash into storm drains. Storm drains here in Dallas lead to our south side water treatment plant and then back into the Trinity River. We may not see that water again but the people downstream will. We need to care for our watershed, just as we hope the people upstream from us care for theirs.

An easy way to help maintain our water quality and the marine ecosystem is don’t feed the algae, meaning switch to a phosphorous free fertilizer, soaps and household cleaners. This past weekend I kayaked and swam in Tyler State Park Lake about an hour and a half east of the city. If algae blooms ravage our local lakes not only does it affect our water quality, it means we can’t continue to cool off in them either.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly.

Sunset over the lake at Tyler State Park, an hour and a half east of Dallas.

Sunset over the lake at Tyler State Park, an hour and a half east of Dallas.

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Overpopulation: and the numbers keep growing

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Naima

Quick test: How many people currently live in the DFW area and how many do you think will live here in 2040? To get a frame of reference: New York City’s population is about 8.4 million, Los Angeles County about 9 million, and Greater Houston area over 6 million. So, what’s our number?

Our current population is around 7 million people and is estimated to be about 10 million people by 2040 according to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). Considered the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country, the DFW area is growing fast in a diversity of industries from Fortune 500 companies to several universities.

It’s not just North Texas that is growing in size, overpopulation is a worldwide phenomenon. Population Media Center (populationmedia.org) works internationally and has a chapter right here in our area to empower and educate people on the social and environmental impacts that arise from overpopulation issues. A growing population will put even more stress on our resources, especially water in North Texas, agriculture and transportation. In North Texas, it’s estimated our population grows by about 1,000 people per day, forcing us to plan how to resolve issues created from overpopulation.

The DFW roads already have a lot of traffic; it’s hard to imagine more people on our highways. And unfortunately, as Kendall Wendling, senior transportation planner for NCTCOG said in a recent presentation, “We can’t build our way out of congestion. The daily commute will always be tedious and full of traffic.” Most of our urban development is low density housing, forcing people to commute by car, adding more traffic to our roads.

But we can plan ahead and try to improve our transportation conditions. The NCTCOG is currently working on a long-term transportation plan, titled Mobility 2040, that “defines a vision for the region’s multimodal transportation system and guides expenditures of state and federal transportation funds during the next 20 plus years.”

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Mobility 2040 is the long-range metropolitan plan for the multiple transportation uses in North Texas (cars, light rail, trains, bikes) aimed to relieve congestion, improve quality of life, and increase mobility and accessibility. The previous long range plan, Mobility 2035, called for $94.5 billion in transportation improvements including 2,200 new road miles, 500 miles of passenger rail and supported off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Mobility 2040 is also looking to solve the “First mile, Last Mile Connections” to make better connections at the local level in between public transportation and your house and place of work, giving people another transportation solution. Several areas and commuters will benefit from small additions to make their workplace or home easily accessible by public transportation. The NCTCOG office is located in Arlington, currently not accessible to commute by public transportation forcing employees to drive, this should push the First Mile, Last Mile Connection to be a top issue resolved.

NCTCOG is currently seeking your input for what you want to see in the future of transportation in the area.

“Hearing what’s important to people is important for us in determining what goes into this plan,” Chad McKeown, Program Manager at NCTCOG said. There is a quick, six question online survey you can take at nctcog.org/survey2040 to express your valuable opinion. Currently a little over 2,300 people have taken the survey, and in an area of over 7 million, more of our voices need to be heard.

As NCTCOG continues the process of creating Mobility 2040 there will be more options for public participation. Visit nctcog.org/trans/outreach/involve to sign up for NCTCOG newsletters, and follow them on social media for public meeting notices, information and more opportunities for involvement.

Overpopulation is a huge issue everywhere in the world. Successful cities will come up with creative sustainable solutions that serve the community while also having a smaller impact on the environment. Your opinions and ideas could just be the creative solution we as a community need to create a comprehensive plan that values our health and the environment.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly.

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A week in Denmark

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Naima

I had an amazing opportunity to explore Denmark just a few weeks ago. We packed a lot in to just a few days over seas. We explored Copenhagen, climbed the steps at Møns Klint, watched the sun set on the shore and drank way too many lattes. I’m working on a short video highlighting our trip. The week in Denmark resulted in a few articles and more on the horizon. I also visited the Copenhagen Zoo and interviewed the Director of Research and Conservation – I can’t wait to share our chat.

Here is the link to my column in The Dallas Morning News that ran last Saturday. This column is also a preview of my TEDx talk this Fall. I used my trip to weave together some thoughts on how to find your climate change inspiration.

And below is my weekly article for the Katy Trail Weekly with many more pictures than can be printed in the paper. 🙂

I returned back to the states from a trip overseas just in time to hear the good news about the “Clean Power Plan.” The White House has issued what is being called the strongest climate action by the U.S. in its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from power plants by 32 percent based on their 2005 levels. In a video posted by the White House on their Facebook page, President Obama said, “Power plants are the single biggest source of the harmful carbon pollution that contributes to climate change. Until now there have been no federal limits to the amount of carbon pollution plants dump into the air.” The reduction in greenhouse gases can be done and the country I visited is proof of it.

I spent a week in Denmark, the first country to be entirely powered by renewable energy, at least for one day. On a recent especially windy day, Denmark produced 140 percent of its national energy needs from wind and exported the extra to nearby Germany, Norway and Sweden. The wind turbines are part of the culture and are found from the countryside to within city limits. Everywhere you turn, the environment is a priority to the Danish citizens. Bike lanes protected by curbs line the city streets packed with commuters, every toilet has flush what you do options, solar panels are found on homes, churches and countryside farms. Compost waste cans are common, and small cars are the norm.

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I think we saw a total of two pickup trucks the entire time we were there. The Tesla shop in downtown Copenhagen draws more interest than a gas guzzling pickup. I was excited to step inside the Tesla shop, something you can’t find here in Texas. Just this year the Texas State Legislature failed to vote on two separate bills that would have allowed Tesla vehicles to be sold directly to customers here in Texas. Next chance to see a Tesla shop here in Dallas comes in two years when the state legislature session is back.

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Parading around in our rain jackets, we saw very little sun in Denmark yet solar panels were everywhere. The solar panels are able to gather sunlight for a longer period of time during the summer when days are about 20 hours long, but as I bundled up in my winter jacket I thought about the hot sun of Texas. When we stepped off the plane in Dallas, I was instantly reminded of our blazing sun and the opportunities we have in Texas to capitalize on solar energy. With a change in our energy sources we can quickly become an international leader in sustainability.

The Clean Power Plan is set to put an emphasis on wind and solar power and some have already declared it a “war on coal.” This is certain to cause the coal and natural gas industry to be in an uproar. But as President Obama emphasized in the video, if we wish to care for our planet for future generations we need to make drastic changes now. The effects of climate change can be seen right here in Dallas with high ozone days and in our own human health.

The Clean Power Plan is good news locally and internationally as we lead up to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change being held in Paris this fall. The U.S. Clean Power Plan will encourage other nations to declare their own plans to reduce greenhouse gases. China, the world’s biggest carbon emitter, we are looking at you.

But it starts at home. The trip to Denmark was beautiful, inspiring yet they aren’t perfect either. Ultimately, I live in Dallas, and I know our city can lead the way to a sustainable future. What can we do here in Dallas to push our community to be more sustainable? Let’s be innovative to come up with creative solutions to traffic congestion, clean air issues, water quality problems and make the environment more of our priority in our everyday actions.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly.

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The environmental side of sports

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Naima

Sports are having a great summer with the Women’s U.S. National Team winning the World Cup and local Jordan Spieth showing impressive strokes on the golf course. The inspiration to pick up a ball, get outside and get competitive is vibrating across our nation.

But, are our sports and growing enthusiasm to participate either as competitor or spectator, damaging the environment? Yes. But they don’t have to. Sports can actually lead the way to a sustainable future.

The D/FW area is home to several large stadiums with high spectator capacities: the Toyota Stadium in Frisco seats more than 21,000, the American Airlines Center more than 18,000, the AT&T Stadium more than 80,000 and Globe Life Park more than 48,000 people. Those large numbers of spectators attending thousands of games a year create massive amounts of waste from concessions. Factor in the energy costs for the stadiums, construction waste and fuel used for transportation, and each game’s environmental footprint is high.

But some teams and stadiums are leading the Green Pack. The Houston Rockets and AT&T Stadium in San Antonio are members of the Green Sports Alliance (greensportsalliance.org). Members of the Green Sports Alliance collaborate with vendors, team executives and environmental scientists to develop solutions to environmental challenges that are cost competitive and innovative. The Green Sports Alliance promotes sustainable communities by “inspiring sports leagues, teams, venues, their partners and millions of fans to embrace renewable energy, healthy food, recycling, water efficiency, species preservation, safer chemicals and other environmentally preferable practices.”

The stadiums and teams in Dallas are currently not listed as members of the Green Sports Alliance on their website. Our local big names in sports should take steps to be leaders in our community and model sustainability initiatives. Even our local colleges and universities can get involved. Ohio State University has initiated a “Zero Waste” program at their stadium with a goal of diverting 90 percent of potential waste away from landfills.

Not all sports are created equal and each has its own environmental concerns. But each industry can provide innovative ways to support the environment and local communities. According to Green Sports Alliance, the NHL donates 100,000 tons of prepared uneaten food from venues each season to people in need. Fenway Park now has Fenway Farms, a new 5,000 square foot rooftop garden, which provides produce for concessions below. And this year’s red carpet at the ESPYS was made out of recycled plastic bottles.

Golf, probably the most water intensive sport especially here in North Texas, is a sport using creativity to solve environmental issues. The U.S. Golf Association conducted a study in which they used GPS to track what parts of the golf course were heavily used and areas that were rarely or never used. Using this data they can preserve wildlife habitat in unused areas and provide less grooming and water management, saving money and energy. This kind of information would be great to use at our new golf park here in Dallas, currently being built on an old illegal landfill site in the Great Trinity Forest in South Dallas.

NASCAR boasts having the largest recycling program in sports with 5 million containers recycled annually since 2008. One of the biggest challenges at sporting events is encouraging spectators to place their trash and recycling in the proper receptacles. We are notoriously horrible at this as spectators and as venues. Venues need to provide plenty of recycling containers with obvious signage and spectators need to take the time to sort waste properly.

Next time you load up the car to go to a professional game or even your kids little league, take a second to consider the impact sports have on the environment. How can you as a participant lessen the environmental impact so you can continue to enjoy the sports we all love? Carpool, take public transportation, bring a bag to collect recycling if the field doesn’t offer it, and lastly, let’s encourage our Dallas sports teams to lead on the field and for the environment.

As seen in the Katy Trail Weekly. 

*Sports have a nostalgic place in my heart. I even dug up an old soccer photo of me to post with this article. Circa 2002 playing at the University of Connecticut. Look close and you can even see my little dreadlock.

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Tips for greening your move

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Naima

I cringe every time I drive by houses with their belongings wrapped in blankets, stuffed in boxes, and people dripping sweat as they face the challenges of not only moving, but moving in midsummer Texas heat. No one I know loves moving, but it is a necessary process we go through many times in our lives. According to 2007 U.S. census data, the average person can expect to move 11.7 times in their lifetime. After a quick count, I’m at 12 moves and can expect a few more.

All this moving, within the same city and across the country, has an impact on the environment. Beginning weeks before your move, there are simple ways to reduce resource consumption during the moving process. These simple tips will help you to plan ahead and reduce stress. And luckily for us in Dallas, we have a great local eco-friendly moving company to reach out to for expertise.

1. Try not to trash it. The more time spent packing is directly correlated to the increase in the amount of stuff thrown out. We’ve all been at the end, exhausted and ready to be finished. Fight the urge to toss unwanted items and make a big run to the local donation drop-off, or think about ways in which you can repurpose, sell or recycle items. Reducing the total amount of objects reduces weight, and less energy will be used to transport. Less weight, less fuel.

2. Start collecting packing material early. Think about using your stuff to help pack your breakables. Towels are great multipurpose packing supplies and can be used to wrap dishes, picture frames or small breakables. Collect newspapers from friends and family to finish off wrapping delicate items. Blankets are great for wrapping furniture and bracing large objects.

3. Choose an environmentally friendly moving company. Here in Dallas check out Green Van Lines (greenvanlines.com), who claim to be the first eco-friendly moving company in the U.S. As members of Green Movers USA, they agree to participate in a criteria based rating system to identify practices to reduce their waste stream and CO2 emissions. Some of the green initiatives Green Van Lines uses are: biodiesel fuel for local moves, boxes and packing supplies are made from 100 percent recycled materials, plant trees with “Trees for the Future” (TreesFTF.org) with every move, and uniforms are made from organic cotton.

The best thing about the environmentally friendly movers is the price. Even their general manager, Arthur Fomin, was attracted to the green initiatives and joined Green Van Lines back in 2007, when the company began. “Our prices are very competitive when it comes to relating to regular moving companies” Fomin said. “We try to make that a point. It doesn’t impact the customer in any way. We even have a lowest price guarantee that we are proud of. We are not more expensive because we are an eco-friendly company.”

4. Crates versus boxes. According to moving.com, a house with three bedrooms and people living a modest lifestyle will take 45 medium boxes, 31 large boxes, 13 extra large boxes, picture and wardrobe boxes. That’s a ton of cardboard … and trees. There is a better way. You can rent durable plastic crates to pack your belongings. Green Van Lines states on their website that one crate can eliminate more than 400 boxes from landfill waste. Crates are sturdier, don’t bend like traditional cardboard boxes, don’t require packing tape and can be stacked and loaded easier than the crazy box Tetris version we’ve all done. Green Van Lines rental crates are made from 100 percent recyclable plastic and can currently be used for Texas moves.

5. When the house is finally packed up, and you realize your work is not done, break out the environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. Especially for this big project, save some cash, use ingredients that are not harmful to the environment, and make large supplies of all purpose cleaners in advance. Mix tea tree oil, vinegar, baking soda, borax, water and Dr. Bronner’s all natural soap to create a quick strong cleaner to wipe down every area of your house from inside the refrigerator to the bathroom.

This probably isn’t your first move, nor will it be your last. Take the steps to plan your move, start prepping early and keep the environment in mind. Resources are used in every aspect of our lives, and moving is another opportunity to reduce our impact on the planet.

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