Climate. Action. Now. |
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Like an overwhelming majority of scientists, we believe human-caused Climate Change is an existential threat to life on Earth. So, while sustainability encompasses many environmental, social, and economic factors, urgently reducing greenhouse gas emissions is of paramount importance today. We founded Sustainable Newton with a burning desire to DO SOMETHING! NOW!! about Climate Change. But, what???
When Project Drawdown published the New York Times bestseller Drawdown in 2017, climate activists finally had a detailed, data-driven roadmap to reduce atmospheric carbon and slow dangerous global warming. Researchers documented the top 100 climate solutions to bring our planet to "drawdown" (the point where carbon levels in atmosphere are decreasing) by 2050. But, while some actions (like eating a plant-based diet or wasting less food) are within reach of anyone, others require major collaboration and investment. And some (like onshore wind) are not applicable to Georgia's topography or economy.
Funding from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation in Atlanta took things a step further, focusing Georgia's university researchers on finding the best climate actions for Georgia, through the Georgia Climate Project. Their work established the Drawdown Georgia initiative, which last October released a climate action plan for our state -- identifying the top 20 climate solutions to cut Georgia's annual carbon emissions 37% by 2030.
When Project Drawdown published the New York Times bestseller Drawdown in 2017, climate activists finally had a detailed, data-driven roadmap to reduce atmospheric carbon and slow dangerous global warming. Researchers documented the top 100 climate solutions to bring our planet to "drawdown" (the point where carbon levels in atmosphere are decreasing) by 2050. But, while some actions (like eating a plant-based diet or wasting less food) are within reach of anyone, others require major collaboration and investment. And some (like onshore wind) are not applicable to Georgia's topography or economy.
Funding from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation in Atlanta took things a step further, focusing Georgia's university researchers on finding the best climate actions for Georgia, through the Georgia Climate Project. Their work established the Drawdown Georgia initiative, which last October released a climate action plan for our state -- identifying the top 20 climate solutions to cut Georgia's annual carbon emissions 37% by 2030.
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Bringing Climate Solutions Even Closer to Home
Drawdown Georgia is a helpful framework to organize and prioritize Sustainable Newton's work. We are focused on the climate solutions Georgia's leading climate scientists, researchers, and policy experts identify as most effective here. The 20 ideas that make up Drawdown Georgia are organized into five sectors. You can see our actions below for each sector.
Electricity
Buildings & Materials
Food & Agriculture
Land Sinks
Transportation
Electricity
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In 2018-19, Sustainable Newton partnered with Solar Crowdsource and local and statewide non-profit partners on the Solarize Newton-Morgan campaign, which resulted in:
In April 2021, we hosted a webinar with solar industry experts to update Newton County residents on advantages of solar and current incentives, state policies, and technology programs available to residential and commercial solar customers. We also featured two homeowners who shared their solar experiences. In August 2021, encouraged by our advocacy, the cities of Covington and Oxford committed to purchasing a combined 19 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar capacity through the Municipal Electric Association of Georgia (MEAG). Up Next: Through the generosity of the Meta (Facebook) Community Action Grant, we are working on a 2022 project to install rooftop solar to power the facilities of a local non-profit. |
Buildings & Materials
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In 2020, we offered members and followers a free screening of the film Story of Plastic, followed by a panel discussion with local officials, students, and activists sharing ideas to reduce plastic waste in our community.
In the summer of 2021, we sponsored a project with students from Georgia Tech to investigate plastic recycling options for local governments and to recommend a followup survey on opportunities Up Next: In early 2022, Sustainable Newton engaged students from Georgia Tech's Scheller College of Business to conduct a detailed study of the Newton County Solid Waste Authority's drop-off glass recycling program to determine if that service could be expanded to serve residents of the counties five municipalities. By examining industry trends for glass recycling and talking to other communities with successful programs, the students proposed a drop-off recycling program for the City of Covington. The exact nature of that program is still being finalized, but we expect to see it implemented in Covington by late 2022 or early 2023. For a follow on project, we are seeking another group of students to examine the market support for a commercial recycling program of all materials in Covington. |
Food & Agriculture
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In December 2020, we hosted an event as part of the Drawdown Georgia "Virtual Civic Dinners" series. Attended by 32 participants, the evening included local Newton County farmers who shared personal stories about conservation agriculture and recipes featuring food from their farms.
By making films like Kiss the Ground and 2040 available for streaming by members and followers of Sustainable Newton, we emphasized the importance of local, sustainably grown food and encourage support for local farmers. On May 4, 2021, in conjunction with International Composting Awareness Week, we cohosted a webinar with UGA Extension Agent Ashley Best on composting best practices. Up Next: As a long-term objective, we want to work with partners to develop a program similar to the Master Composter Program offered by Athens-Clarke County. We will also use our blog and social media pages to share information and inspiring stories of households and businesses embracing composting, a plant-forward diet, and food waste reduction to lower their carbon footprint. |
Land Sinks
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In 2020, Sustainable Newton partnered with citizens and City of Oxford officials to assist in their efforts to conserve existing tree cover within and around the city. By bringing in experts to explore long-term preservation options, we are helping to save an irreplaceable resource.
In May 2021, several Sustainable Newton members participated in an event hosted by the City of Oxford's Sustainability Committee to explore Dried Indian Creek with scientists from the University of Georgia. Through our blog, we strive to educate the public on the value of trees for carbon reduction, climate change abatement, and enhanced quality of life. Thanks to efforts of the Climate Reality Project and their "24 Hours of Reality" day each year, participants in our Sustainable Newton presentations are responsible for planting ~50 trees courtesy of One Tree Planted. Up Next: Sustainable Newton is currently working with the City of Covington as a stakeholder for the city's Central Park project. As a partner in the project, we will be working with city staff and consultants to develop conceptual and detailed plans for incorporating a "food forest" into the park to propagate carbon-sequestering plants and provide much needed fresh produce to residents living near the park. |
Transportation
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In Spring 2020, through Georgia Tech's Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business, Sustainable Newton sponsored a project to analyze the City of Covington's vehicle fleet and recommend how to "green the fleet" and reduce the city's carbon footprint by 40%, while saving 75% on fuel and maintenance. That Fall, other students studied and recommended actions to increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
In February 2021, the City of Covington installed two level-two EV charging ports at the Covington Visitor's Center; in 2022, they installed another charging station behind the Newton County Historic Courthouse, just off The Square. For Earth Day 2022, Sustainable Newton hosted a virtual discussion with Ascend Elements VP Roger Lin about his companies EV battery recycling facility in Covington, which is now North America's largest lithium-ion battery recycling facility. Up Next: Through our blog and social media posts, Sustainable Newton shares personal stories and industry research about the benefits of EVs, energy-efficient cars/trucks, and alternative (bicycle and pedestrian) mobility. To encourage alternative mobility, Sustainable Newton supports efforts by the non-profit Newton Trails, the City of Covington, and Newton County to pave portions of the Cricket Frog Trail between Covington and Newborn. We will also continue to encourage bicycle and pedestrian connectivity through projects like Covington Central Park, the Highway 278 Community Improvement District, and the Covington Conyers Cycling Club's bike route program. |
