We had three distinguished guests in the studio to debrief us on the midterm election results and what effect they may have on our local, state and national environment. Our guests were:

Luke Metzger, Executive Director, Environment Texas.

Andrew Dobbs, Central Texas Program Director, Legislative Director, Texas Campaign for the Environment.

Adrian Shelly, Director of the Texas Office of Public Citizen

We had three distinguished guests in the studio to debrief us on the midterm election results and what effect they may have on our local, state and national environment. Our guests were:

Luke Metzger, Executive Director, Environment Texas.

Andrew Dobbs, Central Texas Program Director, Legislative Director, Texas Campaign for the Environment.

Adrian Shelly, Director of the Texas Office of Public Citizen

Texas’ strength lies in its diversity! This is true whether we talk about people or electricity. Texans get their energy from coal, natural gas, wind, solar, and a few other sources. Some sources are on their way out (coal) while others are just coming into their own (solar). A diversified energy market makes electricity in Texas cleaner, cheaper, more reliable, and more resilient.

Our guest for Part 2 of Shades of Green was Adrian Shelly, the Director of the Texas Office of Public Citizen. He spoke of the importance of energy diversity in Texas and how Public Citizen is advocating for it. A new report produced by the UT Energy Instituted called “The Full Cost of Electricity” illustrates the importance of energy diversity and our need to reduce dependence on coal plants.

City of Georgetown runs 100 % on Renewable Energy and Recently Received an Award of $1 million to further its Goals

The City of Georgetown, Texas has been running on 100 % renewable Energy (wind and solar power) since 2017. They recently received an award of $1 million to continue and expand its renewable efforts. They will be implementing an innovative program using large storage batteries in neighborhoods coupled with solar PV systems on residential roofs.

Our guest on Shades of Green was Chris Foster who is Currently the Manager of Resource Planning and Integration for the City of Georgetown. He has served in the capacity since 2008, with a primary role of managing the City’s Municipally Owned Utility power supply.

Chris is best known for orchestrating the successful transition of Georgetown’s power supply from a single provider that was over 90% fossil fuel based, to being 100% wind and solar powered by 2017

Immediate and Long-term Effects of Climate Change on Water in Austin and the State of Texas

Historic October flooding has caused high levels of silt to build up and overload the City of Austin’s water treatment facilities. The Water Department issued a citywide boil-water ordinance and urged residents to cut consumption.

Will climate change cause historic flooding and droughts to become the norm for Austin and the rest of central Texas? How do we reverse the trend?

We spoke with two water experts offering local and statewide solutions.

David Foster, the Texas Director for Clean Water Action joined us on Shades of Green to discuss the water crisis facing the City of Austin. He offered immediate actions that Austinite’s can take to reduce water consumption to address our immediate crisis. He also presented a thoughtful long-term vision that might help use our water more effectively and slowdown climate change.

Ruthie Redmond, Water Resources Program Manager for the Sierra Club, Lone Star Chapter and the Texas Living Waters Project also joined us in the studio. She discussed “Best Bets for Texas Water”, a guidebook for charting Texas’ water future. Among other important water issues, Ruthie presented the top three strategies from the guidebook that could help Texas make wise water choices.

A Student Sustainability Rally to Support the National Movement started by Our Children’s Trust

Students from St. Edwards University are organizing a Rally as part of a national movement started by Our Children’s Trust supporting the 21 plaintiffs which are suing the US government for allowing climate change to destroy the future generation’s right to life, liberty, and property by promoting a fossil fuel driven economy. The Rally will be on the south steps of the Texas Capitol building starting at 1 PM, October 28. As students studying environmental/world issues and with the heavy impact of the recent report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have come to a realization: ultimately, the impacts of climate change are going to rest on the shoulders of the younger generation to live with and to solve

Our guests were:

Ally Dean: Students For Sustainability Rally Coordinator and Graphic Design officer, Senior at St. Edward’s University, Environmental Science Major, Graphic Design Minor.

Mary Knothe: Students for Sustainability President, Senior at St. Edward’s University, Environmental Science and Policy Major.

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) working toward making US business Green

We spoke with Hammad Atassi, CEO and John Minor, Policy Manager with the American Sustainable Business Council about their exciting green programs for businesses.

Mayoral Climate and Energy Candidate Forum - October 2, 2018 in Austin, Texas

Climate change is happening now and local governments must play a significant role in reducing emissions and helping people cope with the impacts. Austin has existing climate commitments and has made progress in expanding its use of renewable energy, but many challenges remain. Solar Austin, 350 Austin, Earth Day Austin, Shades of Green, and the Green Sanctuary Ministry of the First Unitarian Universalist Church hosted a forum for mayoral candidates to speak about their climate change and energy priorities for Austin, Texas.

The forum took place on October 2, 2018 and it included: Mayor Steve Adler, Laura Morrison, Travis Duncan, and Alex Strenger.

Shades of Green hosted Environmental Forums for our City Council candidates to find out their positions on critical issues facing the City. Each candidate is asked to elaborate on their position on issues regarding climate change, transportation, water and other important environmental topics. Part 2 today includes candidates running for District 3.

In the studio we had candidates:

Susana Almanza

Justin Jacobson

Other candidates Jessica Cohen, Amit Motwani, James Valadez were invited but unable to attend

In the studio we had candidates:

Environmental Forums for City of Austin Council Candidates 2018

Shades of Green hosted Environmental Forums for our City Council candidates to find out their positions on critical issues facing the City. Each candidate is asked to elaborate on their position on issues regarding climate change, transportation, water and other important environmental topics. Part 1 today includes candidates running for District 1.

In the studio we had candidates:

Natasha Harper-Madison

Mariana Salazar

Reedy Spigner

(Other candidates Mitrah Avini, Lewis Conway Jr., and Vincent Harding were invited but unable to attend)