Environment Archives - Page 2 of 11

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Guest Column

Faith community stepping up on climate change

June 11, 2017, 2:55 pm/0 Comments

By Guest Columnist SUSAN VARLAMOFF, coauthor of the ‘Laudato Si Action Plan’ and author of ‘Sustainable Gardening for the Southeast’

Nature abhors a vacuum. With the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris climate accord, there is a void in global leadership on climate change that others are willing and able to fill it. Countries like China, Germany and France are stepping up. In the U.S., states, cities, universities, corporations, and even churches are voluntarily reducing greenhouse emissions in the spirit of the Paris climate accord.

Manatees thrive as water clouds in latest skirmish over water resources

June 5, 2017, 4:44 pm/0 Comments

Florida fights a lot over water. Florida is fighting Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court for more water from the Chattahoochee River basin. Last week, some Florida residents lost their battle to prevent more water from being pumped from a basin north of Tampa that’s home to more than 700 West Indian manatees.

Mayor Kasim Reed joins 186 mayors in supporting Paris climate accord

June 4, 2017, 4:52 pm/1 Comment

When Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced May 31 that Atlanta remains committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, despite President Trump’s decision to pull out of the accord, Reed was in a group of 187 U.S. mayors who represent some 52 million Americans.

Employee complaints stall program to keep birds from flying into Atlanta City Hall

June 2, 2017, 2:39 pm/1 Comment

The effort to prevent birds from flying into the windows of Atlanta City Hall and hurting or killing themselves has run into problems and is delayed. New measures are to be considered.

Hero or villain of Plant Vogtle could be billionaire pioneer of high risk junk bonds

May 31, 2017, 7:40 pm/0 Comments

The hero or villain of the effort to save Plant Vogtle could prove to be the head of a private equity firm who pioneered junk bonds and was nearly scuttled in 1990. Georgia Power protested terms of the loan deal, but a New York judge provided some protection and last week ordered that the entire $800 million in loan funds should flow.

Aerial view of Cumberland Island, May 2017

Prevent proposed development to preserve majestic coastal beauty of Cumberland Island

May 28, 2017, 4:11 pm/5 Comments

By Guest Columnist DAVID KYLER, executive director of the Center for a Sustainable Coast, located in St. Simons

Georgians must resolve to protect Cumberland Island as a rare natural treasure

Among my most cherished memories as a kid growing up in western Pennsylvania is a series of summer treks to the New Jersey shore. Reflecting on these memories, it’s evident that from my earliest days I found the attraction of the land-sea boundary instinctive and insistent – a place where some of nature’s most beautiful, dynamic, and, at times, powerful and destructive forces could be witnessed.

The Coca-Cola Co. funds South Fork Conservancy’s efforts at Zonolite Park

May 26, 2017, 2:05 pm/4 Comments

The effort to improve Peachtree Creek now includes a $25,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Co. that was used to install a rainwater harvesting system at Zonolite Park, in northeast Atlanta.

PSC approves Georgia Power’s plan to build solar facilities at Robins AFB, plus two cities

May 17, 2017, 5:53 pm/1 Comment

The Georgia Public Service Commission on Tuesday authorized Georgia Power to build three solar facilities that are to generate a total of 142 megawatts of electricity. The facility planned at Robins Air Force Base is to account for 139 MW of that power.

Supreme Court unlikely to rule on Florida-Georgia water dispute before Oct. 1

May 16, 2017, 8:00 pm/1 Comment

The U.S. Supreme Court is not likely to rule on the water war litigation between Florida and Georgia before the court breaks for its summer holiday, and possibly not until well after it convenes Oct. 1, according to the calendar the court provided in a recent ruling.

Region’s first air quality alert arrives as new report shows air quality declined 2015-16

May 11, 2017, 5:15 pm/0 Comments

The state issued the first air quality warning of the year for metro Atlanta Thursday, which happened to be the day Environment Georgia released a report that showed Georgia led the nation in worsening air quality from 2015 to 2016.

Changes loom for Savannah River as Congress deauthorizes dam, lock at Augusta

May 8, 2017, 4:33 pm/1 Comment

The Chattahoochee River isn’t the only Georgia waterway under scrutiny. Major changes are looming for the Savannah River. The dam across the river at Augusta may be removed, and whatever is built to impound water must allow fish to migrate through it.

Are We There Yet?

May 7, 2017, 7:20 pm/5 Comments

By Guest Columnist ANDRE DICKENS, a member of the Atlanta City Council who serves the entire city

Every day, Atlantans share our roads and rails with our 5.7-million-person region. How you get to work, school, and home matters to me – is it stress-free, smooth, safe, and predictable?

Atlanta contemplates more energy efficiency from all city-owned properties

May 7, 2017, 4:44 pm/2 Comments

The Atlanta City Council is considering another significant measure regarding the city’s impact on the environment. This one aims to boost the sustainability rankings of city-owned properties to a minimum of LEED Silver certification.

Sea turtle nests spotted this week; officials predict another good year for hatchlings

May 5, 2017, 5:06 pm/0 Comments

Sea turtles have begun their annual arrival on the coast of Georgia and South Carolina. Georgia officials don’t expect a repeat of the record number of loggerheads recorded in 2016, but still expect a higher-than-average number.

All electricity used in Atlanta to be generated from renewables by 2035, says Atlanta City Council

May 2, 2017, 8:32 pm/13 Comments

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect new language about Georgia Power’s posture on renewable energy. // The Atlanta City Council has resolved that all the electricity used in the city shall be generated through renewable resources by 2035. Advocates said the victory sets the stage for a push to bring the issue of clean energy for transportation into this year’s city elections.

Trump’s order on offshore drilling not likely to prompt quick surge of new rigs

May 1, 2017, 5:33 pm/0 Comments

The week that President Trump signed an executive order to authorize offshore oil drilling, three rigs were moved out of the Gulf of Mexico. The move left 17 rigs in the gulf, down from 24 the same week last year and down from the peak of 176 rigs in 2001, according to industry tracker Baker Hughes.

Time has arrived for voters to call on Congress to reduce carbon emissions

April 30, 2017, 6:36 pm/7 Comments

By Guest Columnist JEFF JOSLIN, an airline captain who chairs the North Atlanta Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Climate change anxiety is growing in America. Georgians are no exception. Voters in our state exhibit broad public support for actions that would tame the growing climate threat.

State to beachgoers: Hurricane Matthew damaged habitat, give nesting birds wide berth

April 27, 2017, 7:07 pm/0 Comments

Georgia environmental officials are asking beachgoers along Georgia’s coast to give nesting birds plenty of clearance because Hurricane Matthew damaged offshore sandbars that formerly served as nesting areas.

Atlanta to save about $42 million in future payments for ongoing sewer upgrades

April 26, 2017, 4:05 pm/1 Comment

Atlanta can expect to save about $42 million in the overall interest payments on money borrowed to upgrade the water and sewer system, based on a bond refinancing the Atlanta City Council approved by unanimous vote Wednesday.

Investing in America’s ‘Best Idea’ – our national parks

April 23, 2017, 6:03 pm/2 Comments

By Guest Columnist SALLY BETHEA, the board chair of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy, the nonprofit friends group for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

America’s mayors are pitching an investment in the infrastructure of our national parks as a win-win for cities and their residents: A way to create U.S. jobs by restoring historic buildings, fixing outdated and unsafe water and electrical systems and improving crumbling roads and trails to benefit all park visitors.

Global Health

Building on The Task Force’s Legacy of Collaboration
By Dave Ross, ScD, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Task Force for Global Health The Task...
Region Matters

Eight Takeaways from ConnectATL, ARC’s Summit on the Future of Mobility
The transportation world is changing fast. New technologies such as self-driving cars and “smart�...
Sustainable Communities

Q&A with Southface’s New Communications Manager: Jaimie Cohen
Last week Southface was pleased to welcome Jaimie Cohen as our Marketing and Communications Manager.
Metro Business

Inaugural Atlanta Cyber Week Successfully Unifies Region’s Cybersecurity Community
By Justin Daniels, Baker Donelson The success of Atlanta Cyber Week is a testament to what happens w...
Law & Public Policy

Lessons From Harvey: We Can All Be A Hero To Someone
By Eric Tanenblatt, Rick Jackson Ed. Note: This article originally ran at the Huffington Post As th...
Higher Education

Preparing Students to Solve Problems and Invent the Future with Resources for Making at EXLAB
By Lee Webster, Assistant Director of Learning Environments, Center for Excellence in Teaching and L...
People, Places, Parks

Volunteers: People Who Are Preserving Our Parks and Places
For twenty-five years, The Trust for Public Land has been working with government, foundations and n...
Poverty & Equity

ADVOCATING FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T
By John Berry, CEO, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia Most people don’t know that the Society of St. Vi...
Philanthropy

The 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only...
Financial Inclusion

Partnership with Purpose
By John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Operation HOPE, Inc. I am pleased to join Bill R...
Transit

MARTA Breaks Ground on Chamblee TOD
Pictured L to R: MARTA Sr. Director of TOD Amanda Rhein, MARTA Chief-of-Staff Rukiya Thomas, Chamble...

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