17th March, 2010 - Posted by katherine - No Comments
According to the Austin Business Journal, Austin Community College, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Department of Texas Military Forces at Camp Mabry, and the City of Sunset Valley received grants under a program meant to increase the state’s renewable energy production to meet a 10,000 megawatt target by 2025. Check out the link above for more info.
17th March, 2010 - Posted by carsi - 1 Comment
Did you know that Austin has its own carbon footprint calculator? By calculating your carbon footprint, you can get a better idea of how your habits and activities affect the environment, which makes it easier to figure out what you can do to change and be greener! The city’s website is even offering prizes to people who maintain a user account, including SXSW wristbands, a compost bin, a bike repair kit, and a solar backpack.
17th March, 2010 - Posted by katherine - 2 Comments
This is the first of 3 posts about farmer’s markets in Austin. (Check back tomorrow for our review of the Downtown Farmer’s Market!) Some general information about the benefits of buying from farmer’s markets can be found here, but juts a few of the environmental benefits are:
They help reduce the miles the food travels, thus reducing pollution.
They encourage using less packaging.
They encourage environmentally friendly production practices, such as organic and pesticide free.
Carsi and I went to the Farmer’s Market at the Triangle last December. The Triangle Farmer’s Market takes place each Wednesday. Neither of us had been before, and we wanted to check it out and eventually get to all 3 farmer’s markets in Austin and compare them. I ended up buying some green bell peppers and 2 tacos. There were probably about 10-15 stands, and there wasn’t much to choose from – it was a little disappointing. But the lack of stands was probably in large part due to the time of year and the low temperatures. I’d like to check it out again now that it’s warmer and see if it’s any bigger.
If it’s on the way home from work and you need some veggies and aren’t picky about needing something specific for dinner that night, it’s a nice way to support local farmers!
the row of stands
peppers!
