Marshall Hinsley

Solar co-ops in Texas, led by Solar United Neighbors, help homeowners install solar panels, leveraging expiring federal tax credits and collective purchasing to reduce costs and simplify installation. Joining by Jan. 31, 2021, provides tax advantages, cost savings, and guidance through a collaborative approach.

Texas Nameplate Company, once a significant polluter, transformed into a leader in environmental sustainability, earning the 2020 Corporate Trailblazer Award. Implementing advanced eco-friendly processes, they significantly reduced waste and emissions, inspiring others in their industry through transparency and shared environmental practices.

Dallas College's 10th annual Sustainability Summit will be held online on Nov. 6 via Cisco's Webex, featuring presentations and breakout sessions on sustainability. Charles Hopkins will deliver the keynote, focusing on resilience and social justice. This virtual format allows greater participation beyond typical barriers.

Texas native plants signal climate change's reality, says Prof. George Diggs. As Texas warms, plants struggle, affecting ecosystems, including species like the American beech tree. Changes in plant hardiness zones reflect these shifts, risking the loss of endemic species vital to the state's biodiversity.

Marcus Russell, a Dallas activist, received the Environmental Justice Award for his work in merging social and environmental justice efforts. He left his ten-year job to focus on founding Commissary Is Very Necessary, aiding underserved communities with legal, health, and financial support while linking pollution to health issues and promoting environmental activism.

The 11th annual DFW Solar Tour goes virtual on Oct. 3 due to COVID-19. The free event offers online tours, professional videos, and live Q&A sessions about renewable energy with featured locations and experts. It educates on solar energy adoption, emphasizing sustainability and reducing carbon footprint.

The Texas Poor People’s Campaign launched a community garden in Waxahachie, helping the disenfranchised during the pandemic. The initiative aims to teach sustainable living and honor history. Organizers emphasize food security and environmental justice, with support from local officials and community figures.

Solar United Neighbors simplifies solar adoption in Texas via co-ops, aiding cost reduction and decision-making with collective buying power and expertise. Hanna Mitchell details this process, explaining motivations, costs, tax credits, payment options, and co-op benefits, encouraging Texans to find or start co-ops for solar installations.

Texas cars are colliding with monarch migration, with millions of windshields killing monarchs on highways, impacting 4% of their population. Entomologist Dr. Robert Coulson studies this threat, seeking to identify 'hot spots' and develop strategies with Texas authorities to mitigate fatalities and preserve this unique migratory phenomenon.

Texas botanists, led by Kim Taylor from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, are forming a seed bank to preserve native plant species threatened by urban sprawl, invasive species, and climate change. The project is urgent, focusing on rare species to prevent their extinction and restore Texas's natural ecosystems.

Since the 1970s, North American bird populations have decreased by 3 billion due to habitat loss and industrial agriculture, according to a study led by Ken Rosenberg. The decline affects various species, except waterfowl, but conservation efforts could reverse this trend, emphasizing individual and large-scale actions.

Climate change poses significant health risks, including heat-related illnesses, allergies, asthma, and vector-borne diseases, particularly in North Texas. Experts Dr. Tony Perri and nurse Dorothy Perri highlight the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate these effects and encourage engagement with local climate initiatives.