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Rethink/ A newsletter from the Office of Sustainability
David Yeomans smiles behind the KXAN First Warning Weather desk.

Meet Net-Zero Hero: David Yeomans
Our newest Net-Zero Hero may be a familiar face for many Austinites: three-time Emmy Award winner, David Yeomans! As KXAN’s chief meteorologist, David supports our community daily in understanding our local weather. From reporting on Austin’s wildfire risk to sharing the local impacts of climate change, David’s passion for climate action shines through all his work.

"As the only scientist many folks allow into their living room every evening, I realize the importance of using my platform on television to bring scientific facts to viewers to cut through the political noise."

We met David at the studio to chat about his journey to meteorology, his advice for others, and how he became interested in climate change.
READ THE INTERVIEW WITH DAVID
Do you know a sustainable superstar who should be recognized as a Net-Zero Hero? Send your nominations to sustainability@austintexas.gov.
Two photos of the rain catchment project at Whole Life Learning Center.

Bright Green Future Grant Highlight: Whole Life Learning Center

Each year, the Office of Sustainability recognizes and supports innovative projects designed to inspire students to become lifelong environmental stewards. With funds from the 2021-22 Bright Green Future Grants Program, Whole Life Learning Center connected its new outdoor classrooms and decks to its existing rainwater catchment system.

“At the Whole Life Learning Center, we see sustainability as a way of life,” said Michael Carberry, Founder and Director of Whole Life Learning Center. “A wonderful result is that our students are getting to see all of that in action. So, they will see what is possible with a catchment system and hopefully be inspired to implement one of their own someday."
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Four people smile for the camera to accept a City of Austin proclamation.
Council Member Paige Ellis (right) presents a proclamation for Air Quality Awareness Week to Anton Cox (CAPCOG), Bill Gibbs (Clean Air Force) and Phoebe Romero (City of Austin).

Celebrating Air Quality Awareness Week
Did you know that every second we breathe in about a cup of air? This amounts to nearly a gallon every minute. For many of us, breathing is so automatic that we may have taken it for granted at one point or another. But, breathing clean, fresh air is necessary for people to survive and thrive.

Last week, Austin City Council proclaimed May 2-6 as Air Quality Awareness Week to help spread the message about why air quality is so important to our health. The ability to breathe clean air is a human right, and we must continue to work together to advocate for clean air in our community.
LEARN HOW TO BE AIR AWARE & PREPARED
Mayor Adler poses with students at the EcoRise Student Showcase.

Celebrating Student Innovation with EcoRise

On April 28, students from across the Austin area gathered at Pease Park to be celebrated for their design prowess and ingenuity at EcoRise's 6th Annual Central Texas Student Innovation Showcase. From creating designs for outdoor classrooms to purchasing reusable, sustainable utensils for their cafeteria, the showcase highlighted student teams who had been awarded Eco-Audit Grants, presented through a partnership between EcoRise and the City of Austin.

Students were invited to showcase their projects to their peers, families, and industry professionals. They also got to hear words of encouragement from some very special guests: Lucia Athens, the City of Austin's Chief Sustainability Officer, and Mayor Steve Adler. Both Athens and Mayor Adler emphasized how inspired they were by the students' projects and how sustainability is a central value to the City as a whole.

We send congratulations to all of the students who participated!
Capital Metro train at dusk.

WELCOME, NEW GREEN BUSINESS LEADERS
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Austin Green Business Leaders. These companies have joined our growing community of Austin-based businesses that are committed to protecting our environment:
 
•  Austin Transit Partnership - Gold
•  Lululemon - Gold
•  Marmon Mok Architecture - Gold
A photo of trees at North Oaks Neighborhood Park.

$1.24M AWARDED THROUGH URBAN FOREST GRANT
The Urban Forest Grant strengthens Austin’s urban forest by funding community stewardship activities like tree planting, tree care, education, and disease control projects. Recently, $1.24 million was awarded to seven projects designed to grow and protect Austin's tree canopy and provide more trees where they are needed most.

The deadline for the next round of Urban Forest Grants is July 1, 2022.
LEARN MORE
People tabling at a community outreach event. One person is welcoming another person with their child, who is writing something down on the table.

JOIN US AT THE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS RESOURCE FAIR!

Saturday, May 21, 2022
Lyndon B. Johnson High School

Austin Energy's annual Community Connections Resource Fair is a free, fun, family-friendly event that connects customers with local service providers and City departments.

Participants can expect to learn about community assistance resources available for moderate to low-income families in the Austin area.
LEARN MORE

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