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Earth Day in the Time of COVID-19
Posted on Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2020 at 11:25 am
On April 22, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Earth Day has a long and proud history here in Wisconsin. Our own Senator Gaylord Nelson help create Earth Day and spread grassroots environmental activism around the country at a time when rivers were so polluted they caught on fire. Since then, the U.S. created the Environmental Protection Agency, adopted the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
Here in Madison, we are working as hard as ever to protect our environment and our community from the biggest threat we face – catastrophic climate disruption. We have committed to making City Government Carbon Neutral by 2030. We are on track to have 1 megawatt of solar installed on City Buildings this year, and we are setting new goals for more. In addition to what we can install on our own rooftops, we’re purchasing offsite solar energy as well. We are aggressively transitioning our fleet to low- and no-emission vehicles. We are well on our way to having 40 plug-in EVs and 60 hybrid-electric cars operational this year, and these numbers will continue to climb. New city buildings are built to LEED-Silver standards at a minimum, with many achieving Gold or Platinum ratings.
Across the community, we incentivize solar installations on homes and businesses through MadiSUN, and we’re planning for bus rapid transit fueled by electric buses through MetroForward, and we’re working with Dane County, the Clean Lakes Alliance, Friends of Lake Wingra, and others to clean our lakes, and green our infrastructure.
But the City is just one of many organizations working to improve Madison’s sustainability. Today, and reminiscent of environmental protests in 1970, the Youth Climate Action Team and its partners are inspiring tens of thousands of young Madisonians to take to the streets and demand a better future than the one we’re on track to leave them. SustainDane is helping to forge and highlight partnerships between a diverse set of residents and organizations to highlight that community equity and resilience work are as core to the definition of sustainability as environmentalism is. And helping forge that community equity and resilience are organizations all across our city, with programs like Healthy Food for All, Just Bakery, The Gardens Network, and many more.
Looking Forward
Right now, we’re focused on an immediate response to the COVID-19 crisis – flattening the curve, and ensuring food access and housing support for all Madison residents. While we focus here now, we must also start looking toward long-term economic recovery. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for years. Every level of government will need to be focused on rebuilding our economy while maintaining public health. We have an opportunity to do this in a way that centers equity and our environment.
After the great depression, President Roosevelt rebuilt our country through the New Deal. We will need to do the same in the coming months and years. Luckily, we have a present-day blueprint for that – the Green New Deal – which calls for building a stronger and better nation by centering people, equity, climate and environmental health in our economic solutions.
As we see recovery bills coming from state and federal government in the coming months, we can advocate that funds be directed toward better-paying and more stable jobs than the ones that were lost. With carefully-constructed training programs and jobs pipelines, we can help direct these jobs to the communities that need those most, reducing Madison’s poverty levels and racial disparities in the process, which benefits us all. We can build clean and rapid community transit and clean energy systems, and help solve the climate crisis in the process. We can provide safe and affordable housing for everyone who needs it. And we can make sure that everyone has access to healthy and affordable food.
The COVID-19 pandemic requires us to invest in building our economy back up. Let’s build back better. Let’s make our economy, our environment, and our people stronger and more resilient in the long-run.
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Archive
- Fifty Years and Counting
- Madison Kicks off 2021 with #Teamcity Awards Focused on Teamwork
- An Open Letter to Our New President and Vice President
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- Ya Estan Disponibles Los Fondos Para La Siguiente Ronda Del Programa De Proteccion De Pago (PPP)
- Next Round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Funding Available
- Growing our Housing Options in Madison with Cooperatives
- Honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- City Buildings and Fleet Named Dane County Climate Champions
- Madison Parks Keep You Active Outdoors this Winter
- A Message from the Streets Division-This Winter will be Different
- City Program to Support Small Businesses Underway
- Team City Awards
- Supporting Local Business and Each Other
- Safer to Report Harassment Under our New Policy
- Madison to Receive up to $500,000 to Support Guaranteed Income Pilot
- Madison Receives Highest Possible Score in Human Rights Campaign Annual Report
- Centering Racial Equity and Social Justice
- Displacement of Elderly Residents
- An Open Letter In Support of Meaningful Conversation and Action to Address Systemic Racism in Government and all American Institutions
- Eight Can’t Wait
- Addressing Racial Bias Within City Government
- Building an Inclusive Workplace
- Budget Spotlight: Housing and Community Services
- Madison ACRE Participants
- Shared Streets, Let’s Plan for Next Year
- The Federal Government Must Mitigate the Impacts of any F-35 Deployment
- Millions Available to Support Community-Based Organizations That Provide Affordable Housing
- Budget Spotlight: Equitable Economic Development Programs
- Federal Support for Alternative Crisis Response Teams
- Mayoral Proclamation: Election Hero Day
- Madison Clerk’s Office Honored for Safe, Secure Elections in the Midst of a Pandemic
- Madison Wins Salute To Local Government Awards -Effective Response to COVID-19 Challenge
- Five Mayors, One Challenge
- Asking Everyone to Do Their Part
- New Leaf & Yard Waste Pickup Schedule
- Vote Early Day is Saturday, October 24th
- In-Person Absentee Voting Underway
- Obama Highlights Madison Civilian Oversight Board
- The City's Financial Resources Hotline has been Launched
- Tough Choices on the Budget
- Millions of Dollars to Support Affordable Housing in Madison
- 2021 Executive Operating Budget Message
- Reimagining Public Safety - Progress and Budget Priorities
- Cast your ballot today!
- Pandemic Assistance for our Immigrant Residents-with clarifying information
- Local Municipalities Need Federal Pandemic Relief
- Seeking Support for Equitable Community Access to Elections
- Request to Public Service Commission to Extend Utility Shut-Off Moratorium
- The Need for Federal Pandemic Relief
- City's Streatery Program Growing Fast
- Mask Up Madison
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway and City Leaders Announce Agreement to End School Resource Officer Contract
- Juneteenth-A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- Dream Up and Dream Big-Dream Up Programs Advance
- Statement of Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
- Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Common Council Members Write to Sheriff Mahoney
- Now Is Time For Change
- Join me in Supporting President Obama’s Call to Action on Police Reform
- Madison Mayor Tells Trump Not to Deploy the Military Against Protestors - Supports Rep. Pocan’s Bill to Require Congressional Authorization
- Statement of Mayor Rhodes-Conway Commemorating Breonna Taylor
- Statement of Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- Pride Survives
- "Streatery" Restaurant Recovery Program- A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- Phase One Reopening Begins Today in Madison
- Wear your Cloth Facial Coverings this Memorial Day Weekend!
- A Message from the Mayor About the Heroes Act in Congress
- City of Madison Invests in the Madison Black Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Chamber of Commerce to Help Businesses During the COVID-19 Crisis
- Public Health Madison and Dane County Announces Preparation Phase to Open Up Businesses in Dane County
- Data and Science Will Guide Our Decision Making
- Meet Justin Stuehrenberg- Metro Transit’s New General Manager
- Community Testing Site Now Available at Alliant Energy Center
- Your 2020 Census form – An Easy and Safe Way to Help our Community
- Friday Good News Updates
- An Update on our Community and COVID-19.
- Homegrown Harvests During the Badger Bounce Back
- Contact Tracing’s Role in Re-Opening Wisconsin
- A Friday Update of Some Good News and Opportunities from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- COVID-19 Testing: Why It Matters to Re-Opening the Economy, What it Takes, and Where Things Stand
- How Dangerous Is This Virus? How COVID-19 Attacks the Body
- Learning from the Past
- A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway Regarding Mental Health Care and COVID-19
- Some Opportunities During this Pandemic
- COVID-19 Update from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- Earth Day in the Time of COVID-19
- Badger Bounce Back - a Path to a Safer Recovery
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Statement in Support of First Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Some good news from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- COVID-19 Update from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- COVID-19 and Some Essential City Services
- Homeless Services – Response to COVID-19 Pandemic-A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Statement Regarding Community Gardens and COVID-19
- City of Madison Looking for COVID-19 Cloth Face Covering Donations
- Let’s Double Down on Physical Distancing and Social Solidarity
- Thank you for Supporting Our Elections! A Message from Mayor Rhodes- Conway
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway Update on COVID-19
- Tus Tswv Zos Rhodes-Conway Daim Ntawv Qhia Txog Tsis Txhob Xaiv Ntsej Xaiv Muag Hauv Lus Zej Zog
- Reaching Out and Helping Others
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Rejecting Racism in Our Community
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Transportation in Regards to COVID-19
- Wisconsin is the Only State in the Nation Moving Forward with an Election at this Stage of the Pandemic
- COVID-19 Update from Mayor Satya
- Complete the Census and Encourage Others to Join You!
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Statement Regarding COVID-19 and Protecting the Homeless
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on How to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
- City of Madison Actions on Coronavirus: Updated March 24
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Message Today at the Press Conference with the County Executive and Public Health Director
- Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Food with Regards to COVID-19
- Statement of Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on Voting with Regard to COVID-19
- Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Local Business with Regards to COVID-19
- Taking Care of Children
- Mayor Rhodes-Conway Statement on City of Madison Actions on Coronavirus
- Our best defense is our collective action
Category
Uncategorized
-
Madison Clerk’s Office Honored for Safe, Secure Elections in the Midst of a Pandemic
-
"Streatery" Restaurant Recovery Program- A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
-
Meet Justin Stuehrenberg- Metro Transit’s New General Manager
-
Community Testing Site Now Available at Alliant Energy Center
-
Your 2020 Census form – An Easy and Safe Way to Help our Community
-
A Friday Update of Some Good News and Opportunities from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
-
COVID-19 Testing: Why It Matters to Re-Opening the Economy, What it Takes, and Where Things Stand
-
A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway Regarding Mental Health Care and COVID-19
-
Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Statement in Support of First Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic
-
Homeless Services – Response to COVID-19 Pandemic-A Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
-
City of Madison Looking for COVID-19 Cloth Face Covering Donations
-
Let’s Double Down on Physical Distancing and Social Solidarity
-
Thank you for Supporting Our Elections! A Message from Mayor Rhodes- Conway
-
Tus Tswv Zos Rhodes-Conway Daim Ntawv Qhia Txog Tsis Txhob Xaiv Ntsej Xaiv Muag Hauv Lus Zej Zog
-
Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Rejecting Racism in Our Community
-
Mayor Rhodes-Conway's Statement Regarding COVID-19 and Protecting the Homeless
-
Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on How to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
-
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Food with Regards to COVID-19
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Statement of Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on Voting with Regard to COVID-19
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Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s Statement on Local Business with Regards to COVID-19
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Mayor Rhodes-Conway Statement on City of Madison Actions on Coronavirus
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The F-35 Final Environmental Impact Statement, Additional Information and Timeline
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Statement by Mayor Rhodes-Conway on the Passing of Detective Nicholas Ryan
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Comments Regarding F-35 Draft Environmental Impact Statement FR #2018-02468
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City Staff Memo & Maps on F-35 Environmental Impact Statement
Affordable Housing
-
Madison Kicks off 2021 with #Teamcity Awards Focused on Teamwork
-
Madison to Receive up to $500,000 to Support Guaranteed Income Pilot
-
Millions Available to Support Community-Based Organizations That Provide Affordable Housing
-
Millions of Dollars to Support Affordable Housing in Madison
-
Urban League and City of Madison Announce Wealth-Building Partnership
Equity
-
Madison Kicks off 2021 with #Teamcity Awards Focused on Teamwork
-
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day Message from Mayor Rhodes-Conway
-
Ya Estan Disponibles Los Fondos Para La Siguiente Ronda Del Programa De Proteccion De Pago (PPP)
-
Next Round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Funding Available
-
A Message from the Streets Division-This Winter will be Different
-
Madison to Receive up to $500,000 to Support Guaranteed Income Pilot
-
Madison Receives Highest Possible Score in Human Rights Campaign Annual Report
-
The Federal Government Must Mitigate the Impacts of any F-35 Deployment
-
Madison Wins Salute To Local Government Awards -Effective Response to COVID-19 Challenge
-
Update on City Work Related to Criminal Justice Reform, Crime Prevention, and Racial Disparities
-
Urban League and City of Madison Announce Wealth-Building Partnership
-
Pandemic Assistance for our Immigrant Residents-with clarifying information
-
Request to Public Service Commission to Extend Utility Shut-Off Moratorium
-
Mayor Rhodes-Conway and City Leaders Announce Agreement to End School Resource Officer Contract
-
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Common Council Members Write to Sheriff Mahoney
-
Join me in Supporting President Obama’s Call to Action on Police Reform
-
Statement of Mayor Rhodes-Conway Commemorating Breonna Taylor
-
Welcome and Congratulations to the 62nd Class of Madison Police Department Recruits
Sustainability
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