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June 27, 2018

Houston Environmental News Update June 27, 2018

We’re now fully into summer here in the greater Houston region (as if you couldn’t tell), with July just a few days away. That means we’ll be marking Plastic Free July, a worldwide effort to raise awareness about the need to reduce harmful plastic waste (visit plasticfreejuly.org to accept the challenge).

Experts say single-use plastic products account for 70-80 percent of marine litter, causing untold devastation to marine wildlife. Plastic straws are among the top 10 items to be picked up during beach cleanups, including along our own beloved Texas Gulf coast.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, Americans use 100 billion plastic bags a year (requiring 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture) and the average American family annually takes home approximately 1,500 plastic shopping bags, which are used for an average of 12 minutes. According to Houston-based Waste Management, only 1 percent of plastic bags are returned for recycling. That means that the average family recycles only 15 bags a year; with the rest ending up in landfills. Scientists say it takes 500 (or more) years for a plastic bag to degrade. Unfortunately. the bags don’t completely break down; instead, they photo-degrade, becoming microplastics that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment.

Just last week, the Texas Supreme Court struck down the city of Laredo’s plastic bag ban, in a ruling that many critics said was a blow to the principle of local control. (CEC extends thanks to Robin Schneider and Andrew Hobbs at Texas Campaign for the Environment for sharing updates and preparing responses to the ruling.)

That’s the bad news. The good news is there are simple alternatives for many of the plastic items we as consumers use, including straws, shopping bags, and water bottles. If you’re really ambitious, you can even create a zero waste kit, like the one developed at the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center. You can also use the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s  “Marine Debris and Plastic Source Reduction Toolkit.”

Among the many regional groups and institutions that are working to raise awareness and reduce plastic pollution are the the aforementioned GBRC & TCE, as well as Houston Sierra Club, Environment Texas, Houston Zoo, Keep Houston Beautiful, Keep Kingwood Green, and Keep Pearland Beautiful. We ay the CEC will do our part by co-presenting STRAWS at the Houston Green Film Series on July 18 (see details in “CEC Notes” below).

CEC NOTES

Vox Storytellers 2018: Houston Environmental Stories
On June 30, 2018, from 3-5:30 p.m., CEC will partner with several other environmental organizations and the Houston-based arts and advocacy network Vox Culture in presenting “Vox Storytellers 2018.” The event will feature four speakers of diverse backgrounds (including architect and valued occasional CEC volunteer Kim Schaefer) who will share their stories in a public conversation about the environmental challenges faced by the city. The free event will be held at Cafeza, 1720 Houston Ave. For more information and to RSVP, visit eventbrite.com.

Houston Green Film Series: STRAWS
Please join CEC, the Houston Green Film Series, Rice Media Center, and additional partners for STRAWS (in recognition of Plastic Free July) on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. It’s estimated that daily more than 500,000,000 plastic straws are used once and tossed in the U.S. alone. They’re non-recyclable, so they wind up in landfills, litter streets and add to the estimated 8.5 million metric tons of plastic debris in oceans annually. Linda Booker’s Straws, with animation narrated by actor Tim Robbins, provides a clear understanding of the problems caused by plastic pollution and empowers individuals to be part of the solution (watch the trailer). Arrive at 6:30 p.m. for conversation, networking, and a light meal. We’ll begin the film promptly at 7 p.m.

Please save the date–or even better, register–for CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit on Friday, August 10, 2018.

Annually, CEC hosts a networking and learning event for the extraordinary people who work at or are interested in the work of environmental organizations in the greater Houston region.

This year’s program includes:

  • Excellent Featured Speakers — See the full descriptions.
    •  Jennifer Romero, Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
    •  Hannah Bailey, Houston Zoo
    • John W Nielsen-Gammon, Ph.D., Texas A&M & Texas State Climatologist
    • Jaime González, The Nature Conservancy
    • Glen Miracle, Laughing Frog Farm
    • Paula Paciorek, Galveston Bay Foundation
    • Elena Craft, Ph.D., Environmental Defense Fund
    • April Ward, Living Paradigm CDD
    • Amy Dinn Lone Star Legal Aid; and
    • A representative of the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC).
  • Table Talks: Small group discussions with experts on a variety of topics related to our post-Harvey theme, including impacts on our air and water quality, environmental justice initiatives, wildlife and landscape conservation, and efforts to build resiliency for our future.  A cross between a breakout session and speed networking.
  • Exhibit tables from CEC member groups and local businesses. (See the registration page to reserve your exhibit table.)
  • Delicious, locally-grown food from Pat Greer’s Kitchen.
  • A few surprises 🙂

Further event details are provided on the Eventbrite Registration page.

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a green job listing.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have tried to confirm the events listed below, but not all organizations have updated their websites. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

  1. Houston Cities H2O Challenge continues through September 28
    The Houston Cities H20 Challenge, sponsored by the Galveston Bay Foundation, in partnership with the Texas Living Waters Project, The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency and the City of Pearland, continues through September 28. The Challenge is a friendly competition designed to engage area residents and businesses in water conservation.The Houston Cities H2O Challenge invites all to take the pledge to conserve water for the Bay through various actions, such as tracking water usage or learning how to efficiently water outdoor landscapes. For more information, visit gbwb.org.
  2. Harris County Flood Control District Bond Program meetings
    Harris County Commissioners Court will hold a bond election on August 25, 2018, for the Harris County Flood Control District. Registered voters in Harris County will be asked to vote on up to $2.5 billion in bonds for flood risk reduction projects throughout the county. HCFCD is hosting a series of community engagement meetings, geared toward the county’s various watersheds, to gather input in order prepare an effective flood damage reduction program for the region at hcfcd.org. Numerous community engagement meetings are being planned, and currently include:

    • June 27, Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park (Spring Creek)
    • June 28, Baytown Community Center (Spring Gully/Goose Creek)
    • July 10, Kingwood Park High School (San Jacinto River)
  3. Galveston Bay Foundations presents “Oysters, Water and Boaters”
    On June 27, 2018, beginning at 6 p.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation will hold its Membership Meeting at the United Way building, 50 Waugh Drive. The meeting will feature a presentation by members of the GBF’s Water Quality Team on the health of the bay’s waters. To RSVP, visit galvbay.org.
  4. “Learning from Green Conferences”
    On June 27, 2018, from 6-8 p.m., the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center and the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council will host a panel discussion on “Learning from Green Conferences,” featuring speakers who have attended the recent Gulf Coast Green and Greenbuild conferences. The event will be held on the second floor of the Houston Permitting Center, 1002 Washington Ave. For more information and to RSVP, visit codegreen.org.
  5. “Cultivating Native Plants from Seed”
    On June 27, 2018, the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will host a presentation on native plant propagation with Wally Ward at the American Red Cross building, 2700 Southwest Freeway. For more information, visit houstonprairie.org.
  6. “Rise of the Superstorm” on PBS’s “NOVA”
    On June 27, 2018, at 8 p.m., Houston Public Media KUHT Channel 8 will air the NOVA program “Rise of the Superstorms,” focusing on the 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria (see the trailer). The program examines whether these types of storms are “the new normal” with global warming, and explores the cutting-edge research that will determine how well equipped we are to deal with hurricanes in the future.
  7. “USGS Annual Data Dive” with LSGCD Water Efficiency Network
    On June 28, 2018, from 1:30-3 p.m., the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District’s Water Efficiency Network will host a presentation by Jason Ramage of the U.S. Geological Survey, who will discuss the results from the latest round of measurements of water table levels in hundreds of water wells in the region. Ramage will also highlight various trends that have developed over the past decades of data collection and analysis. The meeting will take place at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston. RSVP’s are not required.
  8. H-GAC seeks feedback on Hurricane Harvey funding draft method of distribution
    The Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking input on the draft method of distribution of $241 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery funding to counties and local jurisdictions outside of the City of Houston and Harris County for buyout/acquisition and infrastructure projects associated with Hurricane Harvey. The allocation includes $111 million of recovery funds for a local buyout/acquisition program and $130 million for local infrastructure projects in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Waller, Walker, and Wharton counties. Written and oral comments will be taken at two public hearings: 1) Thursday, June 28, 5-7 p.m., Courtyard Marriott at Katy Mill, 25402 Katy Mills Road, Katy; and 2) Friday, June 29, 10 a.m.-noon, Hilton Homewood Suites, 3000 I-45 North, Conroe.
  9. Galveston Historical Association offers Marine Biology Tours
    This summer, the Galveston Historical Association is offering Marine Biology Tours, where participants can observe dolphins and other species in their natural habitat, trawl for and handle marine organisms, study plankton through a microscopic lens, and explore Galveston Bay’s rich history. This unique experience takes place on board the SEAGULL II, a 50’ catamaran which docks at the Texas Seaport Museum, and is led by a marine biologist. Tours, which cost $20, are available July 7 and July 21. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  10. 2019 Gulf Guardian Award nominations due June 30
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program is seeking nominations for the 2018 Gulf Guardian Awards, which recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and organizations that are taking extraordinary steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. Nominations are due by June 30. For more information, visit epa.gov.
  11. EPA seeks proposals for Gulf of Mexico Program
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program is soliciting proposals from eligible entities that address water quality improvement; coastal habitat and ecosystems enhancement, restoration and/or protection; environmental education and outreach; and community resilience in the Gulf of Mexico region and its watersheds. The closing date for proposals is July 31, 2018. For more information, visit epa.gov.
  12. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary boundary expansion text and maps now online
    At its May 9, 2018 meeting, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council voted to accept the recommendation for sanctuary expansion proposed by its Boundary Expansion Working Group. The council supports expansion of FGBNMS through inclusion of 14 additional reefs and banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. If accepted by NOAA, it would expand the sanctuary by approximately 150 square miles, bringing the total area of the sanctuary to 206 square miles. The full text of this recommendation and the accompanying maps are available at flowergarden.noaa.gov.
  13. NOAA hosts webinar series on latest National Climate Assessment
    Beginning July 9, 2018, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration will host an eight-week series of free public webinars on various aspects of the latest National Climate Assessment, also called the Climate Science Special Report. The first, “Climate Science: What’s New?”, will be presented by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist at Texas Tech University and a contributor to the report. For information on how to assess the full series, visit nodc.noaa.gov.
  14. “Storms and Spills” fact sheet available online
    With hurricane season in full swing in the Gulf of Mexico region and intense coastal storms an issue around the country year-round, the Sea Grant oil spill science outreach team presents Storms and Spills. This fact sheet outlines the ways high winds and water levels can cause oil and chemical spills, offers precautions residents can take to avoid harmful chemicals that can remain in lingering flood waters, and provides a national contact number to report oil or chemicals in need of attention from authorities. To access this fact sheet or any of the team’s other publications, visit gulfseagrant.org.
  15. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 p.m. each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Texas City, Galveston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.

    • The Loggerhead Shrike, a songbird with a raptor’s habits
    • Butterflies bring beauty and business to Texas
    • Texas Outdoor Family brings nature to those with little experience

Additional Upcoming Events:

http://cechouston.org/category/green-jobs/ 

 

 

 

 

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