November 2019 Sustainability Newsletter

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santa fe county - sustainability

November 2019 Newsletter


Measuring Energy

SF COUNTY FACILITIES ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPDATE

The Santa Fe County Sustainability Office initiated a kickoff meeting with Yearout Energy for the County’s investment grade energy audit on September 23rd.  The fourteen (14) buildings to be audited for energy efficiency and proposed improvements include some of the largest users of energy in the County facility list such as the Adult and Youth Detention Facilities, Fire Stations, and Community Services buildings.  The intensive building audits are now well on their way and are scheduled to continue throughout November.  If the County experience is similar to others who have employed the expertise of energy service companies, we can expect to reap 20-40% energy savings in those facilities, and thus reduce GHG emissions significantly. More to come as the Sustainability Office receives the audit reports! 


International Delegation on Sustainability Roundtable

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: STRENGTHENING THE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES NETWORK-WORLDWIDE! 

The Santa Fe County Sustainability Office is listed by the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) as a Sustainability and Environmentalism field resource. This recognition brought a delegation hosted by the Santa Fe Council on International Relations, of seven (7) esteemed professionals in urban development, sustainability, and renewable energy from African countries and Haiti on October 18, for an inspiring exchange and roundtable discussion with the Sustainability Office and Growth Management staff.  Topics of discussion explored the challenges and solutions for the implementation of effective sustainability practices and policies in government.  The group spent time throughout Santa Fe and Albuquerque visiting sustainability-related projects with the SFCC Applied Technology Programs, Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce, New Mexico Environmental Law Center, Santa Clara Forest Department and Tribal Police as well as local tribal leaders and Environment New Mexico. SFCo staff participants were extremely excited to hear and learn more about the emphasis that the delegate's countries of origin places on equity of voice and the 17 UN Sustainability Goals in regional and local municipality decision-making.  Discussions explored smart growth development, creative and environmentally sound urban planning, infrastructure maintenance, disaster effects on cities, and cross-cutting departmental collaboration. 


Methane and Meat

SANTA FE MAYOR WEBBER DECLARES NOVEMBER VEGAN AWARENESS MONTH

You might have heard it before: "It's not just cow farts!", all animals (including the human kind) produce methane which is emitted into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas and contributes significantly to the warming climate. Plants on the other hand, can be used for regenerative farming to increase biodiversity and health of soil, and clean the air of CO2 as they grow.  Recently, Mayor Webber followed the lead of the United National Environmental Program and placed an official focus on ways to change eating habits toward a more sustainable path in announcing November as "Vegan Awareness Month" while citing the "delicious vegan options" the Santa Fe area has to offer.  Reducing one's intake of meat, even if by a small percentage throughout the week, has proven to increase health in a number of areas, not only for the human body, but for Mother Earth's planet body as well.  Give it a try this month and swap out the meat by getting creative in the kitchen, and/or try out new vegan dishes at a restaurant and introduce more plants into your diet!  You might just like the difference you feel and taste and your planet and heart will thank you with increased health!      


CO2

WHAT CAN I DO? Action 3- Weatherize!

In the first month we featured understanding our impact through the measurement of carbon footprints in our "What Can I Do?" series, followed by reducing fossil fuel based transportation as Action 2.   The majority of U.S. households find that the sources used for heating through electricity or gas, are also the largest contributors to emissions, which leads to Action 3: Reducing your heating footprint:  The weather is getting colder so this is the perfect time to reduce your environmental impact by weatherizing your home and making energy efficiency a priority.  October 2nd was declared Energy Efficiency Day by NRDC, yet, energy efficiency is a year round goal that helps our planet every day of the year.  There are many simple weatherization and retrofitting for energy efficiency techniques that you can implement as well as programs for lower income homeowners.  If you rent, talk to your landlord about increasing the value of their rental property through weatherization or solar power! Check out the many rebates offered through PNM and New Mexico Gas for more home energy efficiency incentives!



Save the Date - Upcoming Events

fixit clinic logo

Fix It Clinic

Saturday, Nov. 2

1- 4 pm

Make Santa Fe, 2879 All Trades Road, Santa Fe

From Siler, east on Industrial Road to All Trades Roads.


City water meetings

Water Supply Meeting 

Tues. and Thurs. Nov. 12 & 14

4:30- 7 pm

Fogelson Library, 1600 St. Michael's Drive, Santa Fe

Learn more about City of Santa Fe water resource planning.


MPO Survey

2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Survey

Through Nov 21, 2019

Transportation is a leading cause of GHG emissions in the U.S. Contribute your concerns by taking the survey for the 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.


Active Hope

Annual Fall Gathering

Active Hope: Young Adult Perspectives

Thursday  Nov. 14

6-8:30 pm

Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Blvd. SE, Albuquerque

Striving toward a "more just, more resilient, and more joyous world amidst challenge and crisis of climate change." 


Cranksgiving 2019

11th Annual Cranksgiving

Saturday, Nov. 16

10:00 am - 2:30 pm

Back Road Pizza, 1807 2nd Street, Santa Fe

Navigate city streets, urban trails and store aisles to benefit the Food Depot of Northern New Mexico to help stamp out hunger during the holidays.


Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival 2019

2019 Recycle Santa Fe 

Art Festival

Fri.-Sun., Nov. 15-17

Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe

Come celebrate this 21st annual fun for the whole family event which will includes 120 artists and a fabulous Trash Fashion Show! 


Festival of the Cranes


Festival of the Cranes

Wed.-Sat., Nov. 20-23

6:45 am-5:00 pm 

Bosque del Apache

National Wildlife Refuge

Celebrating the return of the sandhill cranes to their winter home and rated among the top wildlife, birding, and photography events in North America.

Sustainability Comments or Questions?

We are your local advisors on all things sustainability in Santa Fe County. Call us about anything from water conservation, cleaner transportation, solar and renewable energy, composting, recycling, etc. Or let us know what you would like to learn more about in our newsletter. 

Contact us at:

Claudia Borchert 
505.992.3044
cborchert@santafecountynm.gov

Jacqueline Beam
505.992.9832
jybeam@santafecountynm.gov

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