EcoBits March 12th – March 19th, 2015: SXSW, SH 45SW, Zero Waste

SXSW officially starts tomorrow and that means more activities and events than you could ever even know what to do with. Luckily, we've boiled the two week long festival into a list of just the eco-highlights, so that you can get the most out of SXSW, with or without a badge.

If you don't have a badge: 

If you have a badge: 


Bikes vs Cars will be screening at SXSW.

 

[SXSW Film] Even though SXSW Interactive tends to get the most attention, SXSW Filmhas a lot to offer, both for those with and without badges. Many of the film screenings do not fill up and SXSW allows those without a badge to purchase last minute $10 tickets 15 minutes before show time. Here are the guidelines for accessing films. Below is a list of some of the festival's environmentally-themed films:

  • Bikes vs Cars: The bicycle is an amazing tool to change the world, and cities all over the world are moving toward a new system, but will the economic powers allow it? – Sunday, March 15th at 7:45pm at Republic Square Park;Monday, March 16th at 6:15pm at the Vimeo Theater in the Austin Convention Center;Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30pm at Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter
  • PoachedEgg thieves rob the nests of rare birds while a UK national police initiative named Operation Easter tries to stop them – Monday, March 16th at 1:30pm at the Stateside;Tuesday, March 17th at 11:30am at Alamo Drafthouse Lamar B; Wednesday, March 18th at 11am at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
  • Salt of the Earth: For the last 40 years, the photographer Sebastião Salgado has been traveling through the continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. He is now embarking on the discovery of pristine territories, of wild fauna and flora, and of grandiose landscapes as part of a huge photographic project which is a tribute to theplanet’s beauty. – Friday, March 13th at 6pmat Alamo Drafthouse Lamar B; Wednesday, March 18th at 3:45pm at Violet Crown Cinema
 

Help divert waste during SXSW.[SXSW/Zero Waste] This year, 10,000 pounds of 

waste could be diverted from the landfill during SXSW, but only with your help. SpinFish Event Solutions is working with the festival to rescue used event materials and donate them to someone else who needs them. Materials include cardboard, foam core, wood pallets, and furniture. There are two ways you can help:
  1. If you're an individual, artist, or organization interested in receiving some of these event leftoversschedule a pick-up on March 18th or 19th by sending an email to info@spinfishinc.com.
  2. SpinFish also needs volunteers to organize and hand out the leftovers. Shifts will last 4 hours on March 18th & 19th from 8am to 8pm. Send an email info@spinfishinc.com if you're interested in volunteering.

RideScout is offering lots of great transportation deals during SXSW.[SXSW/Transportation] SXSW not only comes with lots of fun events, but also lots of traffic. Luckily, RideScout is working hard to get you around town as quickly and easily as possible. They have made two videos to help you (and out of towners) get acquainted with Austin's alternative transportation options, including B-cycle and car2go. They are also offering discounts for both of these services during SXSW. You can use the promo code 012015 to get a B-cycle day pass for just $2,and you can use the promo code RideScout1530 to get a car2go membership for just $15, plus 30 free minutes of drive time.

 


Capital Metro will be operating on an extended schedule throughout SXSW.[SXSW/Transportation]Capital Metro is also working to increase transportation options during SXSW. They will be offering extended train and bus services throughout the festival, from March 13th – 22nd. That includes 801 and 803 MetroRapid service until 12:30 a.m. from March 13th – 19th and service until 2:30am on March 20th and 21st. MetroRail will also have extended hours throughout the festival. The full Capital Metro extended schedule is available here>>

Also, RideScout is now allowing users to buy Capital Metro passes directly from their app, so getting around on Austin's public transportation system should be easier than ever! Learn more>>

 


Wade Cooper is the board chair of Capital Metro.

 

[Transportation] Capital Metro has a new board chair.Wade Cooper, firmwide managing partner of the law firm Jackson Walker L.L.P, is replacing former board chair and Austin City Council member, Mike Martinez. Cooper has served on the board of Capital Metro since August of 2014.

“Wade’s experience as an accomplished attorney and civic leader makes him an excellent choice to lead the board,” said Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson in a press release. “In his time with Capital Metro, he has immersed himself into the transit world, providing thoughtful engagement and forward thinking. We’re fortunate to have him as part of our team.”
 


Video on Keep Austin Local[Transportation] Last week TXDOT published its Record of Decision, available here on the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority's SH45SW.com website. In their words, "TxDOT cleared the way for the SH 45SW project to proceed into final design and ultimately, construction." A coalition of local environmental organizations (including multiple AEN partners) have a website called Keep Mopac Local.  They argue against an "Outer Loop" for Mopac that outlines environmental problems with building SH45 SW.
The fact is that the City of Austin and Travis County are co-signatories on habitat conservation plan known as the BCCP and it is our responsibility to protect a variety of species that live there. The previous Austin City Council came out against SH 45. A variety of sources are not satisfied with the Final Environmental Impact Statement upon which the TxDOT decision relies. A letter from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is expected within the next 2 weeks that could shed more light.  More to come…
 


The National Wildlife Federation has honored Austin for its care of wildlife.[Outdoors] Austin has just been picked as the most wildlife-friendly city in America by the National Wildlife Federation! In a press release, the NWF explained why Austin was chosen for such a high honor:


"Austin is a clear-cut choice as America’s best city for wildlife, boasting the most Certified Wildlife Habitats(2,154), most Certified Wildlife Habitats per capita, and most Schoolyard Habitats (67). Famous for its Congress Avenue Bridge that’s home to 1.5 million bats, the city of Austin is certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat." Learn more>> 

 


Earthen Japanese Tiny House Workshop[Green Design] Save the date for an upcoming natural building workshop from our newest partner, the Earthbag House. On March 21st and 22nd, students willlearn how to build an Asian inspired Tiny Earthen Home featuring traditional Japanese, Moroccan and European earthen techniques that are perfect for a sustainable Texas Tiny House that’s efficient, lovely and economical. More info to come next week!

 


Politics



Don Zimmerman shook things up on the Clean Air Coalition of Texas.

 

[Local] One of Austin's new city council members, Don Zimmerman (D6), shook things up this week with theCentral Texas Clean Air Coalition, a committee of elected officials from five counties around Austin that deal with air quality issues. Zimmerman was recently appointed to serve on the committee.

The committee sent a letter this week to the EPA voicing its opinions about the EPA's consideration of more stringent air quality standards (that Austin is very close to violating). The committee's letter already asked for leniency, but Zimmerman wanted to take it one step further, writing up his own draft letter that questioned the very science behind stricter air quality standardsYou can read more about Zimmerman and the coalition's letter with this article from the Austin American-Statesman>>

 

 

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