February 3, 2021  -  View online

Sustainability Spotlight: 

Join 150 Leaders in Embarking on the Racial Equity Journey

Last week, Green Umbrella hosted the first in a series of events focused on building a race equity culture within Greater Cincinnati's sustainability community. Facilitated by racial equity activist and scholar Robin Wright, the workshop was attended by 150 leaders across the region. Using art, trauma informed theory and critical race theory, Robin guided

participants through intentionally beginning the shift towards anti-racism.

As a Cincinnati native with a background in African American Studies and Public Administration, Robin designed the workshop after realizing that white supremacy and racism cause trauma to all involved regardless of race. Through a combination of lecture and small group discussion, Robin underscored how both accountability and care are essential for the personal shifts necessary to lead to broader systemic change. Watch the recorded session and stay tuned for ongoing learning opportunities as we seek to operationalize equity and inclusion.

Tri-State Trails & Partners Highlight Trail Progress Across the Region

2020 was an amazing year for bicycling and walking in our region. Demand for trails was through the roof and projects are moving from vision to implementation. At last week's Tri-State Trails quarterly meeting, trail partners from every corner of our region shared their 2020 accomplishments and plans for 2021. 

Check out the highlights or watch the presentation to learn how we're putting pedestrians and bicyclists first, pushing for innovation, and leading the region into a new era of connectivity, equity and community engagement.

Cincinnati 2030 District Launches Building Occupant Health Program

The Cincinnati 2030 District is proud to lead efforts in establishing a first of its kind occupant health metric for District Member Buildings. This is a brand new program, utilizing the foundation of the 2030 model and the International Well Building Institute’s WELL Building Standard. Members will be working to support their occupant’s health with the help of 2030 District

partners to implement these strategies over the next decade. We invite you to view the Healthy Building one-pager and panel discussion from the kickoff event, featuring Jeremy Faust (Fifth-Third Bank), Dr. Lauren Bartoszek (The Health Collaborative), and Dominic Ruiz and Dr. Angela Loder (International WELL Building Institute).

Fifth Third Bank Achieves Carbon Neutrality

Fifth Third Bank has become the first regional U.S.-based commercial bank to achieve carbon neutrality for its operations in 2020. This major accomplishment was made through a combination of directly reducing their carbon footprint, purchasing renewable power and utilizing carbon offsets from a project in its retail footprint. Learn more.

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Sustainability in the Headlines

Cincinnati on Its Way to Drastically Cutting Emissions by 2030, WVXU

Cincinnati as Climate Change Haven? Some Transplants and City Officials Think So, WVXU

A Creek Re-Emerges: Will Lick Run Greenway Transform South Fairmount?, Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati Empowers Building Owners to Go Green, NRDC
Through WarmUp Cincy, City Hopes to Reduce Energy Burden, WVXU

Inaugural UC Environmental Summit Looks at Pollution Issues Raised in 'Dark Waters', WVXU

Amtrak Proposes 5 Ohio Routes, Connecting Cincinnati to Cleveland, WLWT

Everything You Need to Know About Biden's Climate Policy Spree, Grist

Professional Opportunities   

Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association's 2021 OEFFA Conference will be February 10-15 with over 80 speakers, 70 workshops, and nearly 700 hours of learning and networking.

Keep Cincinnati Beautiful is hosting its annual Love Thy Nati Celebration & Awards Competition honoring dedicated volunteers and community leaders. Nominate an individual or community group that has been an exceptional environmental steward by February 15. 

Cincinnati Permaculture Institute's 2021 Winter Permaculture Design Course will begin February 20 offering five weeks of prerecorded videos and live virtual meeting sessions. 

USDA is offering Value Added Producer Grants for planning activities or capital expenses related to producing and marketing value-added products. Applications due March 16.

The Economist is hosting its sixth annual Sustainability Week, March 22-25, with four days of free sessions on actionable insights and practical solutions.

Collective Impact is hosting its annual Collective Impact Action Summit on April 27-29, 2021 to share ideas and use networks to shape the future of the practice of collective impact.

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