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February 1, 2023 | Climate Action News
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Montgomery County community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 30 percent between 2005 and 2020, despite a 13 percent growth in population, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) GHG emission inventories. The MWCOG also prepared a GHG Contribution Analysis for Montgomery County that illustrates the main drivers of increasing and decreasing emissions leading to an overall net decrease in carbon emissions. Growth in population, commercial space and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) all contributed to increased emissions. A cleaner grid, decreased commercial electricity use, and reduced vehicle miles traveled per person helped bring down the county's emissions. The County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), released in July 2021, will emphasizes this work, with the goal of reducing GHG emissions 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. Read more about GHG emissions reductions here.
On January 10, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $100 million for two environmental justice (EJ) grant programs.
The EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program will directly support nonprofit organizations that are developing and implementing projects that address environmental or public health issues in local communities. Leveraging the EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model, the EJCPS program encourages recipients to engage in collaborative partnerships with local businesses and government, medical service providers, academic institutions and other stakeholders. The EPA is poised to distribute 50 awards of $500,000 and 30 awards of $150,000.
This funding opportunity serves as the largest EJ investment in EPA history, bolstering the Biden administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which calls for 40 percent of climate and clean energy-related federal investments to flow into communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
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FeBREWary is finally here! Montgomery County’s Electrify Everything project continues into February, when you can enjoy Beers, Burgers, and Bulbs. Join the Brewers Association of Maryland as they explore Maryland’s breweries, while also providing you with opportunities to switch out old fluorescent bulbs for money-saving and nature-loving LEDs. If you visit one of the participating breweries, chef Hunter Karamentos from Steeze Burger will be serving up patties and talking about energy efficient cooking with his induction cooktop. Learn more here.
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Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection RainScapes Rebate Program portal is reopening from February 1st to March 31st. RainScapes, such as rain gardens, cisterns, and green roofs, are watershed friendly ways to slow, absorb, clean and reduce rainfall runoff. Along with helping to prevent stormwater pollution and erosion, RainScapes reduce energy and water consumption, create wildlife habitats, and improve air quality. RainScapes can be installed on any kind of property, but those on private residential, institutional and/ or commercial properties may be eligible for a rebate through Montgomery County. Learn more about the County’s RainScapes program here
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 Montgomery County Government is rolling out the red carpet for the 1st Climate Stories Film Festival.
Climate Change will have a tremendous impact on Montgomery County, but if we all contribute with a grain of sand, we can build resilience together. Montgomery County Climate Stories Ambassadors have collected hundreds of stories about why our community cares about climate change and how they commit to doing their part. Join us as the films are debuted at Our Grain of Sand: Climate Stories Film Festival at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring on Thursday, February 23rd, 2023, from 6 pm-8 pm, with a reception to follow.
All of the films and panel discussions will be in both English and Spanish. Admission is free; appetizers and drinks will be provided. Registration is required and limited space is available.
2023 Taste of Maryland: Agriculture Celebration
February 2 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Hanover, MD
Maryland Beginner Farmer Success Course
February 2 – April 6 Thursday Evenings @ 7 pm – 8:30 pm | Virtual
Celebrate Transit Equity Day
February 4 @ 1 pm – 2:30 pm | Washington, DC
Food Policy Impact 2023
February 7 & 8 @ 1 pm – 4:00 pm | Washington, DC
Stop Losing Money on your Utility Bill
February 13 @ 1-2PM | Virtual
WSIZ Community Workshop: Tackling Food Waste
February 15 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Wheaton, MD
GreenScapes Symposium: Designing with Purpose
February 17 @ 9:30AM – 4PM | Virtual
Our Grain of Sand: Montgomery County Climate Stories Film Festival
February 23 @ 6-9PM | AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center
Native Plant Workshop to Support Local Pollinators: By Design-A-Scape
February 23 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Mount Airy, MD
Waste Not Want Not: How composting and zero-waste cooking can green your life
February 26 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | Washington, DC
Building Sustainably: Wood’s Role in Healthy Forests and Healthy Buildings
February 28 @ 11:30 am – 2:00 pm | Washington, DC
Taking Nature Black Conference
March 8-11
Montgomery County Energy Summit
March 28-29 | Silver Spring Civic Building
Montgomery County GreenFest
April 22-23 | Wheaton, MD
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