Environment
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How One Man’s Hobby is Helping Reduce Waste in Athens
It was the combination of frequent trips to resale shops mixed with his tennis burnout that led Athens resident David Ragsdale to his new hobby: cast iron restoration — the process of searching for, stripping down and seasoning decades-old cookware to give it a new life. “My lady likes Pyrex,…
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Where Did the Electric Go? UGA Transportation Includes More Diesel Buses in Fleet
The University of Georgia received a $10 million grant in spring 2019 to purchase 20 Proterra Catalyst E2 electric buses and began using them in the fall semester. As part of their sustainability plan, this grant allowed the university to step forward in reducing carbon emissions and provide alternative transportation…
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Sustainable Merch Finds a Home in Athens’ Music Scene
In Athens, a town known for its DIY approach to music, local bands and students are rethinking a critical part of the music industry: merch. Right now, streaming accounts for 84% of recorded music revenues in the United States. The thing is, musicians aren’t earning the majority of their revenue through collecting…
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Push for Change: Northeast Georgia Organizations Pursue Environmental Justice
Hurricane season is here, and Athens received its share of downpours over the past month. The heavy rain has left low-income communities vulnerable to flooding throughout Northeast Georgia, and this is not the only problem. “There’s also a very big issue with regards to flooding as well. So flooding and…
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Athens Water Festival creates awareness for water conservation
Area children splashed and adults learned more about the water they use everyday at the annual Athens Water Festival on Sept. 6. The event, held at Sandy Creek Park, aims to teach people more about where their water comes from and water conservation. “I’m really glad that we get to…
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From Farm to Food Bank: Watkinsville Couple Brings Fresh Produce to Those in Need
When Dennis Mason and Eleanor Walker, a couple living in Watkinsville, heard there was a need for food at the local food bank, they knew they wanted to do something, even if only on a small scale. It began as a small garden that Mason would tend to in his…
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MOAS Addresses Pet Overpopulation Through Spay It Forward Program
Pet overpopulation is a growing issue in Northeast Georgia, straining local shelters and putting animals at risk. An increase of animals outside means increased fecal waste, polluted water runoff, and more fleas and ticks. The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter is tackling the problem head on with their Spay It Forward…
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Where Water Meets Land: Lake Lanier’s Fight Against Erosion
On a warm Friday afternoon, the water of Lake Lanier ripples beneath the breeze. Singing birds complement the sound of calm, steady waves blanketing the shoreline. But the peace is brief. From around the bend, the deep roar of a wake boat slicing through the stillness echoes across the cove. …
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‘Ticket to Ride’ Underscores Importance of Access, Equity to Trail, Green Spaces
Over 200 Athens-area cyclists participated in the Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride event to increase awareness on the importance of improving access to trail and green spaces. The 14th annual bike ride raised nearly $34,000 for the trail’s expansion, emphasizing efforts to connect residents. “The trail is breathing new life…
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US Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Draws Local Responses
For the second time, President Donald Trump has pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement — a hit to climate change efforts. The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to reduce the risk and impact of climate change by calling for countries to reduce greenhouse gas…