NEWS

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Volunteer learning to compost news

City of Columbia Volunteer Programs holds composting workshop

The City of Columbia Volunteer Programs held their composting workshop in Capen Park.

Kate Cassady - 09-19-2023

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Woman sitting on bench news

Could patio umbrellas and planters help cool Philly blocks?

Citizen scientists and Drexel researchers are testing whether planter benches make summer heat in Philly more bearable.

Sophia Smith - 08-26-2023

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Man looking at power lines news

Why lasers could help make the electric grid greener

The climate crisis demands replacing fossil fuels with green energy quickly.

Julia Simon - 08-13-2023

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Where the wild things grow news

Where the Wild Things Grow

If you want to create a buzz in your yard, you’ll need to take a walk on the wild side.

Michelle Tehrune - 08-09-2023

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Parks and Recreation employee Sam Swindell waters a tree amid a heat wave last Wednesday at Twin Lakes Recreation Area in Columbia news

Ongoing drought adding to city tree management difficulties

Columbia is facing its worst drought in nearly a decade — creating challenges for the city’s urban tree canopy.

Egan Ward - 07-04-2023

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David Whalen leads the Emergency Management Disability Awareness training March 27 at Columbia College. The training connected first responders, other emergency management organizations and people with disabilities. news

People with disabilities take control in disaster preparedness

Emergency Management Disability Awareness sessions will be held in local Missouri regions for the next three years.

Kristina Abovyan - 05-05-2023

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States Look to Make Companies Take Responsibility for Hard-to-Recycle Packaging

As plastic piles up, bills that shift the financial cost of recycling to the producers are gaining traction.

Molly Bolan - 05-05-2023

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Stephens Lake Park Arboretum Plant Sale set for May 7

The Plant Sale will be Sunday, May 7, 8AM-1PM at Stephens Lake Park, 100 Old Hwy. 63, on the lake trail loop walkway.

City of Columbia Press Release - 04-28-2023

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Missouri saw small gains in wind, solar energy capacity last year

Despite supply-chain problems amid the effects of the pandemic, 2022 saw major increases in solar and wind power

Robert Zullo - 04-28-2023

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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $106.4 Million for Drinking Water Infrastructure Upgrades in Missouri

New funding will help ensure that Missouri communities have access to clean and safe drinking water

EPA - 04-11-2023

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Cities Nationwide Combat Climate Change With Urban Forests

Leaders in many communities now consider trees to be critical infrastructure

Alex Brown - 04-11-2023

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Low-carbon materials eligible for climate resilience, disaster recovery funding: FEMA

Communities and states that want to use low-carbon materials to prepare for disaster are receiving a funding boost

Ysabelle Kempe - 04-11-2023

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5 habits to build a sustainable future — without breaking the bank

It’s not only possible to make a difference with our individual decisions — it is vital.

Sarah Shemkus - 04-11-2023

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“Curated” climate data, grant assistance can help cities address EJ and climate change concerns

The EPA’s EJ mapping and screening tool helps governments target outreach to overburdened and underserved communities

Stephenie Overman - 04-06-2023

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Food forests are bringing shade and sustenance to US cities, one parcel of land at a time

One new idea that’s gaining attention is the concept of food forests – essentially, edible parks.

Karen A. Spiller - 04-06-2023

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Cities Move to Protect Trees on Private Land

More local governments are considering ordinances that would make it harder to remove healthy trees.

Rachel Gottlieb - 04-06-2023

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news

Funding for Wildlife Crossings Now Available

The grants will help local governments prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve connections between habitats.

Molly Bolan - 04-06-2023

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How cities can center equity in EV charging

Cities can work to ensure they roll out EV charging infrastructure equitably by listening and collaborating

Kalena Thomhave - 03-29-2023

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EPA Announces $3M Each to Missouri and Nebraska to Fund Innovative Projects That Tackle Climate Pollution

Today, the EPA announced $3 million to Missouri to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution

EPA - 03-29-2023

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Local events offer opportunity to get involved in climate action

There are several events scheduled this spring to help you engage in local climate action.

Jay Hashieder - 03-29-2023

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“Nature-based solutions” like trees and rain gardens can be cost-effective climate adaptations, advocates say

Momentum is building for land- and water-based infrastructure strategies.

Kalena Thomhave - 03-29-2023

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$700M in Grants for Local EV Chargers Announced

The Biden administration opened up applications for $700 million in grants for local governments to install EV chargers

Daniel C. Vock - 03-24-2023

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news

The Right Way to Build Climate Change Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act and others are offering all-too-rare opportunities for state and local governments.

Chip Kline and Simone Maloz - 03-24-2023

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How climate change is throwing off key timing for wildflowers and trees in spring

Climate change is altering spring growing conditions, and plant life is changing along with it.

PBS - 03-24-2023

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The IPCC says we need to phase down fossil fuels, fast. Here’s how the US could do it.

A new report lists 10 policies to constrain polluting infrastructure and achieve key climate goals.

Joseph Winters - 03-24-2023

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news

Climate change and Depression

The Link Between Climate Change and Depression: Understanding the Impact and Coping Strategies

Dr. Shiekh Ahsun - 03-15-2023

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Strap In! Climate Change is Making Plane Turbulence Worse

Climate change has altered the jet stream, resulting in unpredictable clear-air turbulence that is difficult to detect.

Nicholas Vincent - 03-15-2023

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Inflation Reduction Act Invests Over $120 Million in Proven Projects to Advance Climate Resilience, Conservation and Equity

Interior today announced a more than $120 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act

US Department of the Interior - 03-15-2023

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Columbia residents give input on city's recycling system at open house

The city hosted an open house for residents to provide input on how the city's recycling system could be improved.

Emma Flannery - 03-15-2023

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Prioritizing Climate Resilience in United States Fisheries

The impacts of climate change are already apparent in U. S. offshore waters, creating challenges for fisheries

Reggie Paros - 02-28-2023

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news

Federal Transportation Funds Transform Local Communities

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offers an unprecedented opportunity to leverage transportation infrastructure

Catherine Nagel - 02-28-2023

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Paramedics help a patient into an ambulance during a heat wave in Barcelona, Spain news

Extreme Heat is a Health Crisis, Scientists Warn. And Climate Change Is Making It Worse

“The climate is changing, and we are not adapted to be able to deal with it from a health perspective" an expert warned....

Isabella O'Malley - 02-28-2023

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Small flowers focus of big climate research at Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden is known for its flowers, but that’s not where you’ll find ecologist Matthew Austin.

Angela Hutti - 02-28-2023

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news

A Looming El Niño Could Give Us a Preview of Life at 1.5C of Warming

The hotter weather pattern might push the Earth into unprecedented territory next year.

Kate Yoder - 02-28-2023

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news

Investing in communities builds climate resilience

How local leaders can partner with financial institutions to support frontline communities.

Erin Ceynar & Samantha Ender - 02-28-2023

BLOGS

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Top tips for an energy-efficient autumn blog

Top Tips for an Energy-Efficient Autumn

Fall is finally setting in in Columbia, and the colors of the leaves aren’t the only thing that should change this...

Office of Sustainability - 09-28-2023

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Getting around the green way blog

Getting Around the Green Way

Traveling sustainably is an important action we can take to achieve the carbons emissions reductions goals. In 2022, tra...

Office of Sustainability - 08-28-2023

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Every Drop Counts: How to Conserve Water in Columbia blog

Every Drop Counts: How to Conserve Water in Columbia

Water is a critical resource to conserve in the face of climate change: while over 70% of the Earth’s surface is c...

Office of Sustainability - 07-25-2023

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Staying Cool Sustainably in Columbia blog

Staying Cool Sustainably in Columbia

Summer heat is no surprise to communities across Missouri – and it’s certainly something Columbia residents ...

Office of Sustainability - 06-30-2023

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Buzzing about Columbia's Roadside Pollinator Porgram blog

Buzzing About Columbia’s Roadside Pollinator Program

June is National Pollinator Month, and June 20th-26th is National Pollinator Week. But protecting and promoting pollinat...

CoMo Sus - 05-29-2023

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Pedaling Towards Sustainability: Celebrating National Bike Month blog

Pedaling Towards Sustainability: Celebrating National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month, and as a city committed to sustainability and climate action, Columbia is the perfect place ...

Office of Sustainability - 04-28-2023

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Keep Your Spring Cleaning Green this Earth Day blog

Keep Your Spring-Cleaning Green this Earth Day

Spring is in the air in Columbia, and that means two things: it’s the season for spring-cleaning, and Earth Day is...

Office of Sustainability - 03-29-2023

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blog

Collaborating for Climate Action: Get to Know Columbia’s CAAP Teams

The City of Columbia’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) is taking bold steps to reduce our community&rsqu...

Office of Sustainability - 02-28-2023

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Our Approach to Equitable Climate Action blog

Our Approach to Equitable Climate Action

In cities across the county, including Columbia, historic and current systems, policies, and behaviors create inequities...

- 02-01-2023

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blog

10 Green Resolutions for the New Year

The first month of the New Year means we’re thinking about what is on a lot of people’s minds: resolutions f...

- 01-12-2023

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blog

Watershed Signs Meandering out into the County!

Keep a lookout for new watershed signs in the Greater Bonne Femme Watershed!These signs welcome you into the watershed a...

- 08-15-2022

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blog

Celebrating Energy Efficiency Experts in Columbia

Did you know the energy we use makes up 70% of Columbia's greenhouse gas emissions?We're on a mission to change ...

- 07-25-2022