HARC

🚮What makes Texas trashy?
Texans produce an estimated 16,812,719 pounds of plastic every single day. So, HARC, Keep Texas Beautiful, and Black Cat GIS and Biological Services teamed up to build a state-wide litter database that tracks and amplifies litter collection efforts across Texas.

🐬Why does this matter?
Litter poses serious risks to wildlife and humans. It spreads disease and harms animals, with over one million marine creatures - including mammals, fish, sharks, turtles, and birds - killed annually by floating plastic debris. On top of that, litter cleanup places a large strain on city resources.

By auditing Texas' trash, we can analyze litter data geographically to develop tailored solutions, whether at the local level or through broader policy changes.

🌎Who can use this database?
Anyone! You can enter litter data, organize litter pick-up events, and explore and visualize existing litter data.

🌊Let’s keep Texas beautiful. Visit https://bit.ly/3PJdCPA to learn more!

Interested in the state of the bay? Stay tuned, the Galveston Bay Report Card grades are coming soon!


The Texas Litter Database is funded by the Garver Black Hilyard Family Foundation.

🔥 Bridging science and community for climate action! Dr. Stephanie Piper, HARC’s Climate and Equity Research Associate, took the stage at the American Meteorological Society Conference in New Orleans to discuss the critical role of community engagement in climate change and health adaptation.

Dr. Piper highlighted her work on urban heat mapping and the importance of community involvement in addressing climate challenges. She discussed how engaging with communities helps develop meaningful mitigation strategies and shared insights on how research like HARC's recent heat mapping campaign in Houston can enhance local health responses to climate impacts.

Learn more about Dr. Piper here https://bit.ly/SPiper

Learn more about the Heat Mapping Campaign here www.h3at.org

As the 89th Legislative Session begins, we're excited to spotlight our new Policy Page! 🌟 Our team delivers data-driven insights and recommendations on critical issues, including clean energy infrastructure, water management and conservation, and community resilience planning.

During this session, the Texas Legislature will revisit renewable energy policies for 2025, focusing on balancing the state's energy grid and optimizing market incentives for solar and wind energy. We'll be collaborating with policymakers and government organizations to translate science into impactful laws and regulations, shaping a sustainable future that benefits communities, industries, and ecosystems alike.

HARC is tracking the session – what priorities matter most to you? 👇

🔗 Explore our policy efforts and see the impact we're making this legislative session: https://bit.ly/3CfyMSi

We are pleased to spotlight Dr. Margaret Cook, HARC's Vice President of Community Resilience and Sustainability, at the sold-out Water for Texas Conference 2025!

Dr. Cook will moderate the breakout session "The Water-Energy Nexus: Balancing Water Needs with Hydrogen Production."

As Texas leads the charge in hydrogen innovation, this session will explore the critical balance between hydrogen development and water sustainability in water-stressed regions. 💧

Can’t attend? Don’t worry! Follow along for insights, highlights, and key takeaways from this essential discussion right here on our channels.
📍 Water for Texas Conference 2025 - Austin, TX
📅 January 29, 2025
📝 Join the waitlist here: https://bit.ly/3PsfhJf

Water for Texas is hosted by Texas Water Development Board

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $33 Million in Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants for Texas Organizations | US EPA The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has selected three Texas organizations for the Community Change Grants Program, totaling $33,300,000 in awards.

An appreciation post for human’s best friend 💚 It’s not dogs we’re talking about, it’s houseplants! 🌱 Did you know that plant roots and surrounding microorganisms extract and destroy pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and organic chemicals from the air? They convert these air pollutants into new plant tissue! Plants also release water v***r as part of photosynthesis and respiration, which helps to improve indoor air quality by humidifying the air. - NASA Spinoff

Here at HARC, we love to keep the Golden Pothos around - Let us know what your favorite houseplant is! 👇

*Helpful tip*: Keep your houseplants at a reasonable distance away from your window to avoid bird collisions. Let’s keep it a space!

This week, we remember President Jimmy Carter, whose legacy of justice, community, and vision laid the foundation for climate action and sustainability. His leadership on human rights, equality, and climate change (before everyone was talking about it) is a beacon for organizations like HARC, where we're working to build resilient and sustainable communities.

As Walter Mondale wrote in his posthumous eulogy to Jimmy Carter, “Very few people in the 1970's had heard the term "climate change". Yet Carter put his presidency on the line to pass laws to conserve energy, deregulate new oil and gas prices and invest in clean, renewable solar, wind and geothermal alternatives to fossil fuels... In many ways, he laid the foundation for future presidents to come to grips with climate change.”

May we honor President Carter’s legacy by continuing to strengthen our communities and care for our planet.

Rest in peace, Mr. President.

Connecting mission to community action! In October, we officially kicked-off the Community Impact Advisory Council at HARC. We are pleased to welcome Deedee Belmares, Alexandra Castaneda, Rachel Flores, Dr. Alexia McClerkin, Dr. Evelyn McDaniel, Alan Watkins, and Tarique Rashaud, to the HARC team.

The Community Impact Advisory Council has been assembled to ensure that HARC’s climate efforts are inclusive, equitable, and just, prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable communities. The role of the Council is to expand HARC's network and perspective, ensuring HARC understands the broader implications of their work and how it impacts or benefits a wider audience through hearing varied voices.

HARC is committed to working with underserved communities to co-develop and implement climate equity and resilience initiatives that meet the needs of the community as determined by the community.

Learn more about our Community Impact Advisory Council here https://bit.ly/3CeDFuC

New Energy Crossroads podcast episode drop! 🌟

On this episode of Energy Crossroads, we’re joined by Amanda Tullos, founder of GreeNexus Consulting, to explore the future of sustainability in the built environment. 🌍

With over 150 LEED-certified projects under her belt and a passion for regenerative design, Amanda shares:
✅ Insights on the Living Building Challenge
✅ Real-world challenges & solutions in green building
✅ Her journey toward creating a just and regenerative legacy

In this podcast series, HARC hosts conversations with solution providers, finance experts, and end-users to discuss clean energy investment best practices and financing tools. These podcasts explore some of the most challenging issues commercial, industrial, and institutional property owners and managers face.

Subscribe to Energy Crossroads wherever you consume your podcasts!
Listen here https://bit.ly/3BOJlLn

Planning for a Healthy Future: Climate and Public Health

Join HARC researchers Dr. Meredith Jennings, Dr. Ebrahim Eslami, and Dr. Sequoia Riley at the 2025 Climate Health Frontiers Symposium at the University of Houston – Hilton Hotel on January 16. The symposium promotes a holistic approach to climate health, integrating diverse perspectives from science, policy, and community resilience.

🌡️ Dr. Meredith Jennings, Senior Program Manager for Climate Equity & Resilience, will discuss urban heat island mapping through community science to identify neighborhoods in need of cooling.

🦠 Dr. Ebrahim Eslami, Air Quality Research Scientist, will present projections on extreme heat’s health impacts in Harris County using tools like BenMAP-CE to forecast morbidity and mortality trends through 2100.

⚡ Dr. Sequoia Riley, Research Associate in Water Energy Climate Nexus, will highlight how combining retention ponds with floating solar panels can address flooding and energy burdens, focusing on a case study from Waimanalo, Hawai’i.

The symposium is open to professionals in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience!

👉Register here https://bit.ly/3PpcmRz

🌱Sustainable 2025 New Year’s Resolutions Check-In!🌿

We’re one week into the New Year, so it's time to check in on those resolutions. Here are some simple and impactful ways to keep up the momentum:

💡 Turn off lights at bedtime to save energy.

🌍 Start (or continue) composting to reduce food waste. Check out www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/compost/ to learn more about composting services and resources in the area!

♻️ Recycle right—sort your recyclables properly. Learn more about it here www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/recycling.html

💧 Conserve water. Fix leaky faucets and turn off water while brushing teeth!

🍃 Take a walk in nature to recharge your mind and body. Bonus tip! A fun way to connect with wildlife during your outdoor time is by using Merlin, an app that identifies birds by their songs! Learn more here https://bit.ly/3DIHnwZ

Let’s keep working toward a greener, healthier world—one small step at a time. 🌟

❄️ And just like that, winter has arrived. Are you prepared?

A surge of arctic air is bringing freezing temperatures to Houston this week, making preparedness essential for households and communities.

Winter Storm Uri in 2021 revealed vulnerabilities in Texas’ energy and water systems. In response, HARC created an interactive application that explores how Texas’ energy and water systems were impacted and provides tools for strengthening readiness for communities.

What can you do now?
✅ Check out HARC’s interactive tool to learn how Winter Storm Uri impacted Texas’ energy and water systems and find ways to build winter resilience.👉https://bit.ly/3rkuygM
✅ Stay updated with reliable sources like the US National Weather Service Houston-Galveston Texas.
✅ Insulate pipes and seal cracks to keep the cold out.
✅ Charge devices and stock up on water, food, and other essentials.

Winter resilience starts with awareness and action.

Enjoyed the holidays in a t-shirt and shorts? ☀️

2024 officially wrapped up as another excessively hot year for Harris County. Heat-related illnesses have skyrocketed since 2019, surging by an alarming 329%, according to the Harris County Public Health report. 2023 was one of the hottest years on record for the Houston area, resulting in a 231% increase in heat-related deaths.

With urban sprawl and climate change fueling the heat, the greater Houston area is bracing for even more extreme temperatures in the years ahead. But here’s the good news: we’re mapping the heat to find solutions!

Our 2024 H3AT Mapping data is almost here, pinpointing Houston and Harris County’s hotspots—the areas most vulnerable to soaring temperatures and humidity. This data will pave the way for better strategies to combat extreme heat and protect our communities.

Stay tuned! Results are coming soon. 🌳
Learn more www.h3at.org

🌱 Planting today, for a thriving community tomorrow 🌳

Over the weekend, Sewa International USA took a significant step toward addressing urban heat challenges in our community, by planting trees in neighborhoods that need them most. This initiative was informed by HARC’s heat mapping data, which pinpointed areas experiencing the highest temperatures - areas where this effort will have the greatest impact. Urban heat doesn't affect everyone equally, but solutions like this ensure that benefits of shade, clean air, and cool environments are shared where they're needed most.

🌱 100 trees planted
🤝 80 volunteers, ages 6 to 81

It’s inspiring to see so many community members come together to make a tangible difference. These trees are more than just green spaces, they represent collaboration and a commitment to creating a more livable future. 🌳

Learn more about the H3AT Mapping Campaign here www.h3at.org

Happy Holidays from all of us at HARC!

As we celebrate the close of another impactful year, we want to thank you for helping us power change and build a more sustainable tomorrow.

May your holiday season be filled with peace, joy, and energy to fuel the New Year ahead.

Celebrating Visionary Leadership in Sustainability! 🌱🤝

At the 2024 Texas Energy Summit (TES), HARC’s President and CEO, John Hall, was honored to recognize and pass the torch to Doug Lewin, President of Stoic Energy, the 2024 Gregg Cooke Award winner for Excellence in Environmental Leadership. This award recognizes individuals and projects dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of buildings and development, enhancing air quality, and promoting sustainability across Texas.

The Gregg Cooke Award highlights the transformative work of leaders driving Texas toward a greener future. Doug Lewin joins past notable recipients like John Hall in 2023 and George Mitchell in 2012. Gregg Cooke, who passed away suddenly in 2006, was “tirelessly dedicated to resolving environmental issues facing Texas and helped guide a bipartisan group of North Texas leaders in developing clean air plans for many of its major cities. His love of the environment was his passion. He was innovative and never shied in spearheading new ideas in improving it.”

HARC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all communities—especially disadvantaged ones—by advancing science-based solutions to address the challenges of climate change.

HARC is changing the world one expert at a time! 🌍

What a busy year 2024 has been for HARC as we've been out in the world, driving positive change through education, collaboration, and action. We've attended over 65 conferences nationwide (and virtually), proudly sharing our subject matter expertise in climate research, water management, clean energy, community resilience, and policy.

Our work is not just about sharing research, it's about sparking action within communities. By equipping leaders and community members with the tools they need to make informed decisions, we are building resilient systems and policies that benefit people and the planet.

Every conversation moves us closer to a world that is more sustainable and just.

Keep up with our experts at events and conferences in 2025 by signing up for our newsletter here https://bit.ly/46Difkq

Planning for a Sustainable Future - HARC Takes a Walk on the Wild Side🐅

The HARC Executive Team and board members came together at the Houston Zoo’s Nau Family Gorilla Treehouse conference space last week for an inspiring two-day session focused on setting bold, transformative goals for HARC’s future. Through collaborative strategizing and in-depth planning, we discussed key objectives in climate action, water management, energy, community resilience, and policy, along with fundraising goals to expand HARC’s impact.

We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter in 2025, and are energized by the opportunities ahead to make a meaningful impact on our community. A special thank you to the Houston Zoo for graciously hosting us in such a beautiful venue that reflects our shared commitment to conservation and sustainability.

Learn more about HARC’s research here https://bit.ly/HARCresearch