Office Hours, Earth Day, New Term

Hi Everyone.

I'm holding office hours tomorrow morning at 8am. Feel free to show up with your questions and concerns. Here is the Zoom invite: 

Tag Evers (he/him) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Office Hours

Time: Apr 23, 2021 08:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
       

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 836 6319 2580
Passcode: 774054
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Meeting ID: 836 6319 2580
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In Keeping With Earth Day...

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than picking up or downloading your copy of the 2021 Recyclopedia? The Recyclopedia provides up-to-date information about what you should and should not be placing in your green recycling bin. Nearly 20% of what gets put in the green bins currently is not recyclable and adds unncessary costs to the system.

Digital copies can be downloaded from the Streets Division website.

On a different note, yesterday I participated in a press conference announcing Mayor Satya's Climate Forward initiative. Alder Abbas and I will be working directly with the Mayor and her staff on various means of reducing carbon emissions in our built environment.

Nearly half of Madison's energy use comes from our buildings -- 18% is from residential structures and 30% from commercial structures. And it is the large commercial buildings that provide ample opportunity for significant reductions -- though less than 2% of the City's buildings are over 10,000 sq ft, it's estimated that these larger buildings, most of them commercial, constitute approximately half of the greenhouse emissions stemming from the City's built environment.

Cities across the US are making great strides in increasing energy efficency in the built environment. Though we are restricted by state laws preempt local authority, we must engage stakeholders in Madison's private sector and gain their cooperation if we are to meet our climate goals.

Start of a New Term

Two days ago, on April 20th, 2021, I participated in the swearing-in ceremony for Madison's new Common Council. I remain deeply honored to serve as your Alder.

I've been appointed to the following committees: BAYVIEW FOUNDATION, COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, JOINT CAMPUS AREA COMMITTEE, MADISON GUARANTEED INCOME PROGRAM ADVISORY TASK FORCE, SUSTAINABLE MADISON COMMITTEE, and ZOO COMMISSION.

As I start my second term on Council, we have many significant challenges moving forward as a City. I'll be working closely with the Mayor Rhodes-Conway on the Climate Forward initiative as well as her recently announced Housing Forward intiative -- housing and climate being top priorities demanding our full attention.

Today is the 51st anniversary of the first Earth Day. Scientists have warned us of the perils of inaction -- empirical data call for dramatic cuts in greenhouse emissions to stave off irreversible changes to our climate.

Similarly, Madison's housing crisis cuts to the quick of our broader challenges around racial and economic justice. Low and moderate-income residents in Madison are being priced out of our City, often moving some distance away from primary places of employment.

These two challenges intersect. Climate solutions can and must be equity-centered, so that underserved and overburdened communities participate in climate solutions that are both sustainable and affordable, charting a just path forward toward a de-carbonized future.

Lastly...much has been said about the verdict in the George Floyd case. It's a profoundly sobering moment. By itself, it doesn't mean that much. Black lives are still being taken by the police -- to wit the fatal shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant on Tuesday in Columbus and the fatal shooting of Andrew Brown Jr. yesterday morning in Elizabeth City, NC.

The guilty verdict in the Floyd case does offer hope for accountability, but that's after the fact.

Real justice demands an end to police violence. Full stop.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag