Sustainable Flatbush

Lots going on (or trying to!) in Albany and beyond on environmental issues. Here are just a few links to support important legislation being considered: Solar Energy This week the State legislature approved new tax incentives to encourage the installation of more solar electric (photovoltaic) panels in New York. This is great news, but the [...]

Sustainable Flatbush has just endorsed a new report on NYC energy policy and climate change response from Sierra Club NYC Group. The report praises PlaNYC while declaring that we need to go much further in order to address the increasing pace of climate change along with energy volatility: Government sustainability initiatives may have greater success [...]

Ever wondered why New York State, and New York City in particular, are so far behind other parts of the country (and even the region!) when it comes to actual numbers of installed renewable energy systems (especially solar panels)? I’ve received some inquiries on this topic from people who want to see more solar power [...]

WHAT: Making Solar Happen in NYC How you can help remove legislative barriers to solar energy * Why is it easier to install solar panels on Long Island than in NYC? * Is funding available? * How will PlaNYC2030 affect permits for solar? * Why is energy efficiency so important to installing solar panels? * [...]

(Imagine Flatbush logo by Imani Aegedoy) Last night was the first meeting of Imagine Flatbush 2030, a “community visioning project” sponsored by the Municipal Arts Society and Flatbush Development Corporation. The project’s purpose is to engage neighborhood stakeholders (to my delight, I was asked to be on the Advisory Committee… guess that makes me a [...]

Just a reminder: Sustainable Flatbush Town Hall Meeting is TONIGHT!! Please join us: WHAT: Sustainable Flatbush Town Hall Meeting WHEN: Monday, November 12th at 7pm WHERE: 462 Marlborough Road (between Ditmas and Dorchester) Tonight’s meeting will focus primarily on the formation of committees to carry out service projects and set long-term sustainability goals for our [...]

Sustainable Flatbush is about to enter an exciting new phase of our activities in the neighborhood, and we’d love for YOU to be involved! Please join us: WHAT: Sustainable Flatbush Town Hall Meeting WHEN: Monday, November 12th at 7pm WHERE: 462 Marlborough Road (between Ditmas and Dorchester) Longtime Flatbush resident Mark Levy has come onboard, [...]

Science Barge – Powered By Nature!, originally uploaded by Sustainable Flatbush. Finally visited the Science Barge during GreenHome NYC’s Green Buildings Open House. The Science Barge is a sustainable urban farm. It demonstrates renewable energy supporting sustainable food production in New York City. The Science Barge grows tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce with zero net carbon [...]

One big source of trash for those of us who shop online and mail order is excessive packing materials. Some companies are worse offenders than others, and hopefully this instance cited on Organic Picks is not the norm: photo: Organic Picks Yes, the small Pyrex bowl on the left is the purchased item! As the [...]

“How I Spent My Summer Vacation” continues, with more photos and anecdotes from the sustainability bicycle tour I went on in August… Maitreya Eco-village, Eugene, OR The trip began in Eugene, where we camped for the first few nights at a place called Dharmalaya. This is a privately owned home with land that hosts a [...]