Posts tagged Environment
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Opportunity Zones have gotten a lot of criticism. Could they promote equitable green development?
Opportunity Zone funding is a federal program created to drive economic development in “distressed” areas across the United States, including in DC. The program has been received with both criticism and excitement, but something’s been missing from the conversation: The potential to use this money for clean energy and green infrastructure projects. Keep reading…
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Lawns may be green, but they’re terrible for the environment
I made my childhood fortune pulling dandelions. My father saw dandelions as the scourge of his beautiful green lawn. He paid two cents per pulled dandelion, provided the roots came up, too. I had job security because the neighbors let their dandelions go to seed, assuring that there would always be more dandelions for me to pull. Keep reading…
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Maryland joins DC in passing “clean” energy legislation. But is burning trash really clean?
Environmental activists are currently working to change a controversial provision in Maryland’s Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019 which includes trash incineration as part of the state’s renewable portfolio standards. The law, passed on April 2019, mandates that the state source half of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, and all of it by 2040. Keep reading…
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Maryland and Virginia plan to expand roads, in defiance of their own climate goals
While DC plans to reduce road capacity, Maryland and Virigina submitted plans to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, to extend theirs, in opposition of ther goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Keep reading…
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Meet Fred Tutman, the Patuxent Riverkeeper
Fred Tutman is the Patuxent Riverkeeper, one of a global network of 200 people who advocate for individual rivers. He’s also the nation’s only African-American Riverkeeper. Keep reading…
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At a Reston forum, 5 supervisor candidates range from hostile to cautious about development
The Reston Citizens Association hosted a forum on April 23 for candidates vying to represent the Hunter Mill district, which covers Reston and Vienna in Fairfax County. Most of the questions focused on issues specific to Reston, which is in the midst of a heated debate over new development, zoning code updates, and the future of the community. Keep reading…
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DC’s bicycle commuter movement was activated 50 years ago
People in Washington, DC have been biking to work, and for work, for more than a century, but the bicycle commuter movement in DC celebrates something of an anniversary this year. It was in 1969 that the District Council held the first hearing on bicycle commuting and the the District subsequently installed the first bicycle route for commuters. Keep reading…
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DC passed the most ambitious clean energy law in the US. Now what?
In January 2019, the District passed the most ambitious clean energy legislation in the nation. However, local climate activists say the hard work is just beginning—they want to know who will lead the DC Green Bank, whether the law will benefit the least-privileged residents of the District, and whether it will be adequately funded. Keep reading…
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It’s morel season! Here’s how to find edible plants and mushrooms in urban places
Since morel season is upon us—amidst a warm spell and blooming dogwoods and lilacs—I set out to learn more about this elusive mushroom. It is one of the few edible mushrooms that grow in the spring, and believe it or not, it's possible to find them in an urban environment. Keep reading…
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Events: Rally for safer streets in memory of Abdul Seck
Advocate for safer streets in all parts of the city in memory of Abdul Seck, check out local transportation techies, learn about urban farm-to-table practices, gain bike-to-work tips, and more in our events roundup. Keep reading…