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June 2021 | Visit us online at www.icgov.org/sustainability. 

Water and Waste

Iowa City enjoys 119 miles of streambank, riverbank and lakeshore

Treating and cleaning water costs $6 out of every $10 the City of Iowa City spends on electricity

60 percent of water pollution is attributed to litter

60 to 80 percent of marine litter is composed of plastic

Keep it Clean Upstream

Iowa City trails are looking cleaner thanks to anonymous community members who have been putting effort into caring for our local greenspaces.

We all live upstream from other people. With the Iowa River and several creeks flowing through Iowa City, residents have a unique chance to be good neighbors to people and wildlife connected to us by these waterways.

Picking up litter is important because anything left on the ground can get carried by rain into the waterways–plastic bags, discarded wrappers, cigarette butts.

You don’t have to wait for an organized event to make a difference in our community. You can help keep it clean with your own DIY litter pickup!

Picking up litter in parks and along streets and walkways makes you a kind of super neighbor—it helps eliminate problematic trash in your own neighborhood and further downstream as well.

For more information on how best to lend a hand while you're out and about, check out our simple DIY litter pickup guide. You can earn a Keep it Clean Upstream button!

A smarter ceiling fan

The Iowa summer heat is on its way, prompting many to find ways to keep cool indoors. This fan recommendation does that and more: you can also save energy, as you can turn up the thermostat a few degrees.

This quick video explains how ceiling fan direction can be optimized based on outside temperatures.

EcoSmart Series shines light on surprise savings

Lower cooling costs, less fading of merchandise, and fewer insects attracted to light fixtures – these are just some of the unexpected benefits for businesses switching to LED lights discussed in a recent EcoSmart presentation.

A collaboration between the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City Area Business Partnership, the EcoSmart series shares success stories from local businesses adopting sustainable and climate friendly practices. It also offers information on resources for other businesses looking to do the same.

A recording of the most recent presentation is available on the Business Partnership YouTube Channel.

Upcoming presentations will explore water conservation and eco-driving campaigns for employers. For more information, contact Wendy Ford at Wendy-Ford@Iowa-City.org.

Climate Action Grant Awardees

The City of Iowa City recently awarded $60,000 in grants to seven organizations throughout the community to fund projects related to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan as part of the 2021 Community Climate Action Grants program. 

This is an increase from the $40,000 in grants awarded last year.

Projects awarded include two solar installation efforts at Shelter House and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, energy efficiency projects for the Iowa City Bike Library, Deerfield Commons, and the Johnson Clean Energy District, and adaption and resilience planning efforts by the Multicultural Development Center of Iowa and A & W Sustainable Planning and Outreach.

Iowa City’s Climate Action Commission meets monthly

Access upcoming and past meeting packets here.

Green Iowa AmeriCorps events

Rain Barrel Distribution and Art Contest | July 10 

Come pick up a barrel and a kit to connect your downspout, and start enjoying the benefits of harvesting rainwater! For more information and to sign up, visit the Google Form.

Climate and Nature Walks | June 5 -26

For more information and to sign up visit the Sign up Genius web page. 

Raise it Up Ride Series: ready to roll

Next month the Iowa City Bike Library will launch a series of self-guided bike routes that honors the achievements of Black residents of Iowa City and raises a call to action for a more just and equitable city. The series features four separate routes, each with stops along the way at three to five historically significant locations to the Black community, as well as Black-owned businesses. An audio track narrated by Black community members provides information and insights into each location. The Raise it Up Ride series officially launches July 1. All the materials needed to follow the routes and related information are available on the Bike Library web site this month. For more information, contact the Bike Library at info@bikelibrary.org

Power Hours now available in ASL, Spanish

Grow Solar Linn + Johnson Counties, a program that provides solar education and an opportunity to purchase affordable solar panels, is expanding its outreach.

Recorded "Solar Power Hours" featuring captioning in English and Spanish as well as American Sign Language are now available on the program web site.

The recorded, one-hour Solar Power Hour gives area residents the opportunity to learn about solar energy systems and how the group buy program helps bring down cost.

Everyone is welcome to access the videos. Live Solar Power Hours will also continue to be offered in spoken English through August. To sign up for an upcoming Power Hour or for program alerts, visit linnjohnson.growsolar.org.

Thank you, waste and recycling industry workers!

The week of June 17 is “Waste & Recycling Workers Week.” To all people working in the waste and recycling industries— haulers, material sorters, landfill operators, curbside drivers, and many more important jobs—thank you!

Olivia Pond, Iowa City resident

What are some ways you take climate action?

Personally, I ride an e-bike to work, support local producers, and try to stay engaged with community efforts/initiatives. That said, I believe everyone can find their own ways to take action. There is no "right" way. 

What can others do to take climate action? 

I encourage folks to not steer away from climate action related conversation. We all share this planet and many of the same concerns. Opening up with my friends and family has been quite refreshing, inspiring, and thought-provoking. 

Why does climate action matter to you? 

I fight for the kids in my life. They deserve clean air to breathe, water to drink, and a healthy planet. I think we can agree on that. 

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This newsletter is published by the City of Iowa City Climate Action and Outreach Division. For more information, contact Sarah Gardner at 319-887-6162 or Sarah-Gardner@Iowa-City.org