July 2018 In addition to technical assistance and certification, ARC's Green Communities program encourages sharing sustainability best practices and provides opportunities for learning how communities can be greener. This survey helps us gauge your interest and availability for Green Communities "Networking & Learning" sessions. It takes just three minutes to complete. Scorching Summers Require Emergency PlansHeat waves are becoming longer and more frequent — however, few municipalities have emergency plans in place to minimize loss of life. Extreme heat is considered a natural disaster by the EPA and has life-threatening health effects. Just this month, both the east coast and west coast have experienced deadly heatwaves. Resources from across the country are available to help plan for extreme heat. How has your local government prepared for future heat waves? What else can you do to protect citizens? Green Communities SpotlightMeasure #12: Government Cool Roof Rockdale County replaced two roofs — a total of 12,000 square feet — with cool roofs at its Quigg Water Treatment facility in 2014. Cool roofs reduce electricity use by reflecting solar radiation and keeping indoor temperatures lower than typical dark industrial roofs. In addition, the Rockdale facility features educational signage that informs visitors about the cool roofs and other on-site sustainability measures, such as rain gardens. Make it PersonalTips for Safeguarding Health from Heat
Sustainability News ClipsGreen news from near and far: Decatur brings recycling service in-house and parts ways with long-time contractor NBA's Hawks offer sustainability lesson Georgia Grown label prominent in Atlanta Georgia Tech chooses Shan Arora as Kendeda Building director Atlanta well positioned to continue efforts to thrive in rapidly changing world Atlanta is a scorching heat island, but can green roofs help? Georgia DOT's tree clearing project draws skepticism, complaints Plastic pollution is no straw man Ask Eartha: tips for a sustainable summer shindig BPDA passes smart utilities policy Cheap sensors are democratizing air-quality data How to keep your home and family safe from summer weather Way to grown: urban farms are an amenity at many developments Get Green for National Waste & Recycling Association: Recycling Awards Clarence DuBois Community Grant Program Partners for Places Green Infrastructure Grant Our Town Place-Making Grant Developments of Excellence Awards Metro Water District Calendar Photo Contest Georgia Urban Forestry Awards Water & Sustainability Innovation Award Walmart Community Grant Surdna Sustainable Environments Funding Funding for Curbside Recycling Carts Funding for Scrap Tire Clean-Up Green by the Numbers 3,979 – Number of proven heat-related deaths in the U.S. since 1986 80 – Percentage of sunlight reflected by cool roofs 1,000,000 – Number of trees NYC has planted since 2007 to combat heat Sustainability HappeningsAgTech Conference of the South Clean Energy Road Show Exploring the Role of Cities in Supporting the Energy Efficiency Workforce USGBC Georgia Lunch & LEED: America's oldest Net Positive home remodel - How did they do it? Trees as Green Stormwater Infrastructure Georgia Environmental Conference Just Energy Summit The Green Matters e-newsletter is designed to give you a glimpse of important sustainability initiatives happening around the metro Atlanta region and beyond. Whether it's the latest research, new educational offerings, environmental stewardship efforts or potential funding opportunities, this e-newsletter will help you stay abreast of what's happening in this important area. |