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Midwest Climate Summit Brings Collaboration, Action to St. Louis

Published on Sunday November 6th, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Heather Navarro
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314.935.9541

ST. LOUIS - Registration is now open for the 2023 Midwest Climate Summit. The summit is a three-day gathering of climate leaders, researchers, and professionals focused on expanding knowledge as well as accelerating action to address climate change in the Midwest.

The Midwest Climate Summit takes place Tuesday Feb. 21 through Thursday Feb. 23, 2023 at Washington University’s Charles F. Knight Executive Education & Conference Center in St. Louis. The Summit is hosted by the Midwest Climate Collaborative, a cross-sector collaboration connecting organizations in 12 states to respond collectively to the climate crisis.

“Most people aren’t aware that if our 12 states were a country, we’d be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet. With that knowledge comes tremendous responsibility and opportunity. Our work to address climate change not only improves the lives of people in our hometowns but impacts the health and livelihoods of people around the globe,” Heather Navarro, the MCC’s director, said.

The summit offers climate leaders a chance to collaborate on existing work, learn from each other at curated workshops, and explore the work of community partners through off-site field trips. The goal of the summit is to seed new relationships and cross-sector collaborative efforts. This year’s summit will showcase efforts in the St. Louis region and give participants an opportunity to learn from others across the Midwest.

Registration is open to the public and any organization, institution, industry, or agency interested in working with others to address climate with a focus on equity and justice.

“Climate solutions must support communities, families, and individuals impacted by economic, environmental, and racial injustice. Ensuring our actions support communities across the Midwest in a fair, just and equitable way is a critical focus of the summit,” Navarro said.

The Summit organizers will announce keynote speakers, workshop offerings, and off-site field trips in the coming weeks.

Registration is available online here. 

The Midwest Climate Summit is open to members of the press.

Sponsors

Millipore Sigma is the first presenting of the summit sponsor to be announced. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available and are a valuable opportunity to reach a committed, audience of leaders from across the region. Information on sponsorship is available here

Background

The Midwest Climate Collaborative is a cross-sector collaboration responding to the climate crisis through the acceleration of climate action, knowledge generation, and leader development. The collaborative is made up of 44 member institutions from across a 12 state Midwest region. The MCC grew out of the first Midwest Climate Summit and was launched officially in January 2022. The MCC is hosted by Washington University and supported by its member organizations. Learn more about the MCC at midwestclimatecollaborative.wustl.edu.

 

Key Details

DATES:

Tuesday Feb. 21 through Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023

 

LOCATION:

Charles F. Knight Executive Conference Center
Washington University
Throop Drive and, Snow Way Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63130

 

PRICE:

$395 for three-day, in-person registration
$175 for single-day, in-person registration
$75 for virtual attendees
MCC member organizations receive two free registrations and a discount on additional registrations.
Reduced rates and scholarships are available for students and individuals with grassroots nonprofits and community groups.
 

REGISTRATION WEBSITE: https://whova.com/web/r9eEmMfHigEEiGYy3kyvcw-9a1pkxmQ9@MMr3VN2K5I=/

 

MCC Members Include:

American Lung Association
Ann Arbor, MI
Building Energy Exchange Kansas City
Building Energy Exchange St. Louis
Capital Area Regional Planning Commission
Carleton College
Carmel, IN
Case Western Reserve University
Climate Action KC
Climate Central
Columbus, OH
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Earth Charter Indiana
EnergyCare
Evanston, IL
Indiana University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Iowa State University
Kansas City, MO
Loyola University Chicago
Millipore Sigma
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Historical Society
MOST Policy Initiative
National Great Rivers Research and Education Center
Northland College
Northwestern University
Principia College
Saint Louis Science Center
Saint Louis Zoo
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
St. Louis, MO
The Academy of Science - St. Louis
The Delta Institute
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois
The Nature Conservancy, Nebraska Program
The Ohio State University
U.S. Green Building Council - Missouri Gateway Chapter
University of Chicago
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Urban Land Institute -- St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Sustainability Lab

Published on Sunday November 6th, 2022

Sustainability Lab on Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Building Circularity

3:30pm-5:00pm Presentations/discussion
5:00-6:00pm Networking (in-person only)

Join on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84469672587?pwd=VDByZUtmUW5JaWsxN3JWUVQxSFB1dz09 
Join in person: (Please note the Lab this month will be in a diferent space)
T-REX (911 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO)
Geosuarus South Classroom (4th Floor)

The November Sustainability Lab will focus on circularity and local actions taking place to realize an economic system that eliminates waste. The Lab will be moderated by CircularSTL, a collaborative group founded in 2022 that works to develop a circular economy by engaging businesses, government, community groups, nonprofits, academia, and individuals to highlight innovative initiatives that work toward the goal of eliminating waste. Similar coalitions in other cities have been successful in sharing innovative business ideas and promoting local policies that reduce waste. To learn more about CircularSTL, visit circularstl.org.

Presentations will be given from four local organizations that use innovative ways to eliminate waste in the St. Louis bi-state area. Dr. Jess Watson from earthday365 will discuss the launch of the Kind Box program, the first regional reusable To Go container program in Green Dining Alliance restaurants. Jordan Blackhurst from Dharma+Dwell refill shop will discuss the refill model and how to encourage the behavior change needed to reduce waste. Katie Carpenter from Perennial will discuss projects including Perennial's popular "Community Clothing Swap" and Repair Fair. Finally, Kurt Dreiser from Urban Chestnut Brewing Company will discuss how they have designed circular processes into their operations, such as diverting spent grain and yeast to be utilized for animal feed and ethanol. CircularSTL hopes that by sharing these ideas, these types of projects can be replicated and grow in popularity across the region. Attendees will be invited to give input on other ideas to promote circularity and what other projects they would like to see from CircularSTL.

This Sustainability Lab will be hybrid, so you have the option to come to T-REX or log in on Zoom. To reduce carbon emissions, you can plan your trip using public transit here. 

Zoom Info:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84469672587?pwd=VDByZUtmUW5JaWsxN3JWUVQxSFB1dz09 

Meeting ID: 844 6967 2587
Passcode: 226558

Click here to download a calendar invite for this event.

(As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we ask that all attendees take appropriate precautions such as getting vaccinated, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask when in proximity to more than three people, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.)

 

A Response to Recent Recycling News

Published on Thursday November 3rd, 2022

You may have seen articles recently about the state of recycling. NPR recently posted this article about the problems with recycling. In it, the author states that plastic is not recyclable based on a study by Greenpeace USA. The cited requirement is that 30% of a category of plastic that is produced must actually be recycled for it to be considered “recyclable”. Looking at national statistics using this lense, no plastic is “recyclable”. But when you consider the situation locally, that statistic becomes less relevant. It’s difficult to determine how much of the plastic we use in the St. Louis region gets recycled, but if you use our local recycling system right, there’s a much greater chance than the 5% cited in the Greenpeace study. You’ve got to Stick with the Six items our single stream recyclers take, and you’ve got to make sure the materials are empty, clean and dry. You can refer to the graphic below to see where our recyclable materials go, and what they are turned into.

With all this said though, the motto is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. And that is the order of importance. It is important to recycle, but it is more important to reduce your use of plastic. Remember to bring your reusable tote bags to the store. Not just the grocery store either. Use them at the home improvement store, the pharmacy, and the department store. And refuse beverages that are served in single-use plastic bottles.

You can also tune into the Sustainability Lab @ T-Rex on November 29, 2022 and learn about the Circular Economy in St. Louis.

 

 
 
 
 

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Sustainability Lab

Published on Monday August 15th, 2022

Sustainability Lab on Tuesday, August 30, 2022
T-REX Sharptooth Boardroom (5th Floor)
911 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO
Sustainable Transportation Roundtable

3:45 - 5:00pm: Roundtable Discussion

The theme for the August 2022 Sustainability Lab will be sustainable transportation. We will structure the Lab as a roundtable discussion. That means we won't have a formal presentation, but we will have thoughts, questions, and maybe a graphic or two to spur conversation. There are topics on our minds such as electric vehicles, alternative fuels, transit, and transportation infrastructure, but the conversation can go wherever we want. Whatever the direction we choose, our goal is to get attendees to think deeply about sustainable transportation and learn something that can be brought home or to work for action.

We invited some content experts to bring their insights and foresights on the state of sustainable transportation. A couple of them are Lisa Cagle, Director of Innovative Services, Metro Transit St. Louis and Kevin Herdler, Director of St. Louis Clean Cities, a member of the Clean Cities Coalition Network.

This Sustainability Lab will be hybrid, so you have the option to come to T-REX or log in on Zoom. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89715394576?pwd=MGNrVmJDR3ZwUXh6Z0VCSHk5U1B4QT09

Meeting ID: 897 1539 4576
Passcode: 955251

(As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we ask that all attendees take appropriate precautions such as getting vaccinated, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask when in proximity to more than three people, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.)

Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Sustainability Lab

Published on Monday August 15th, 2022

Sustainability Lab on Tuesday, September 27, 2022
T-REX Sharptooth Boardroom (5th Floor)
911 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO
Sustainable Transportation Roundtable

(Zoom option also available)

3:45 - 5:00pm: Roundtable Discussion

The topic of the September 2022 Sustainability Lab is pathways to clean energy. The Lab is structured again this month as a roundtable discussion, with input from Morgan Geile, Senior Sustainability Program Specialist at Ameren, and Jenn DeRose, Beyond Coal Campaign Representative from the Missouri Sierra Club. We will discuss clean energy in our region and obstacles that we face in making the switch. 

Please bring your questions and come ready to discuss the challenges in transitioning to renewable energy, as well as opportunities for collaboration. 
 
This Sustainability Lab will be hybrid, so you have the option to come to T-REX or log in on Zoom. 

Parking: Depending on construction, meter parking will likely be available on 10th or 11 St. or Lucas Ave. There are also pay lots behind and next to T-REX. To plan your trip using public transit, click here.
 
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83100438660?pwd=UHhWM0N3ckFHRGNmc094UThONzFSQT09

Meeting ID: 831 0043 8660
Passcode: 117128

Click here to download an ICS file to add this event to your calendar.

(As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we ask that all attendees take appropriate precautions such as getting vaccinated, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask when in proximity to more than three people, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.)

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Sustainability Lab

Published on Monday August 15th, 2022

Sustainability Lab on Tuesday, October 25, 2022
T-REX Sharptooth Boardroom (5th Floor)
911 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO
Sustainability Metrics of Regional Importance

(Zoom option also available)

4:00pm - 5:15pm

The October Sustainability Lab will be a discussion of the OneSTL performance indicators and other metrics being tracked in the region. Since 2013, OneSTL has been tracking data that indicates the overall sustainability of the St. Louis region. Are these metrics still the best to measure the progress of OneSTL and the sustainable development of the St. Louis region? Can we better connect with what others are doing in the region? 

Check out the current list of OneSTL performance indicators here, the current working groups here, and come prepared to discuss the best way for OneSTL to move forward on building and measuring a sustainable region. Discussion may include but is certainly not limited to the following: 

  • What metrics are most important for the region to measure?
  • What metrics best reflect the activities of the OneSTL Working Groups?
  • Who else in the region is tracking performance measures? Is there overlap and opportunity to connect processes?

This Sustainability Lab will be hybrid, so you have the option to come to T-REX or log in on Zoom. 

Parking: To reduce carbon emissions, you can plan your trip using public transit here. Depending on construction, meter parking may be available on 10th or 11th St. or Lucas Ave. There are also pay lots behind and next to T-REX.
 
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82044179442?pwd=WW9SdkhlNW1JdVY1S2FYMnRnRFpZQT09

Meeting ID: 820 4417 9442
Passcode: 507839

Notes from Last Lab: 
Click here to view the information discussed regarding clean energy at the last lab, including community solar, rebates and tax credits for energy efficiency projects, and more. 

 
(As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we ask that all attendees take appropriate precautions such as getting vaccinated, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask when in proximity to more than three people, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.)

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Sustainability Lab

Published on Monday June 20th, 2022

Sustainability Lab on Tuesday, June 28, 2022
T-REX 5th Floor Lounge
911 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO
Geospatial Technology and Sustainability

3:45 - 4:45: Presentation and Discussion
4:30 - 6:30: Open House and Networking

We will use the June 2022 Sustainability Lab to talk about issues related to water and stormwater management. Roland Biehl from the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District will discuss what’s working in the realm of community stormwater best practices, including positive trends and changes in individual actions. Following his presentation Aaron Young will give a brief overview and history of Water Matters and how it’s involved with OneSTL. He’ll then lead a discussion on recent activities around Water Matters and using it as a platform to raise awareness and promote action on water issues in the region. 
  • Roland Biehl, Environmental Specialist, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District.
  • Aaron Young, Sustainability Planning Manager, East-West Gateway Council of Governments.
(As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we ask that all attendees take appropriate precautions such as getting vaccinated, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask when in proximity to more than three people, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently.)

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