Mar 05, 2021

What You Need to Know About Zero Waste

Is the systemic idea of Zero Waste actually possible? Yes! But to do so, we need to stop looking at Zero Waste as just a lifestyle and start looking at it as a strategic concept for managing our waste – and tackling the trash crisis.

zero waste refill shop
Feb 09, 2021

Vermont Environmental Leaders Respond to Governor’s 2021 Budget

“Vermont has a tremendous opportunity to put people and communities at the heart of our COVID recovery. Governor Scott has proposed much-needed funding for critical priorities like clean energy and healthy communities. Our lawmakers need to turn these proposals into reality and make sure these important investments are put into practice for years to come.”- Jen Duggan, Vice President and Director of Conservation Law Foundation Vermont.

A strong climate law will be good for public health
Jan 27, 2021

Biden’s Federal Flood Protections Are Positive Step But Local Action Needed, Too

Advocates cheered when President Biden reinstated the Obama-era flood protection standard among his first acts in office. The Biden administration is sending a clear signal that building according to climate patterns of the past is no longer acceptable – we must acknowledge and address increasingly frequent and extreme flooding caused by climate change. Reinstating the federal standard is a critical first step for increasing our national infrastructure’s climate resilience – one that signals the urgent need for action here at home.

Tropical Storm Irene Floods Buildings in Quechee Vermont
Jan 27, 2021

Guest Post: Will Developers Slow the Path to Net Zero?

Cities with aggressive climate standards are running into roadblocks. Achieving these goals will require strong building energy codes and ending the use of fossil fuels in buildings and homes. We’re starting to see that neither the natural gas utilities nor the real estate industry will sit by quietly as cities and states enforce stronger building codes and ban natural gas infrastructure in new construction.

Boston Seaport construction
Jan 08, 2021

Building Communities That Thrive: A Conversation with Dr. Thea James

It’s tempting to boil down good health solely to factors like medical care, healthy food, and exercise. However, many other dynamics, like historic redlining and racial segregation, along with substandard housing, air pollution, crumbling infrastructure, and lack of access to jobs, healthy food, and green space, all play a role. Perhaps no one understands the interplay of these factors better than those who work in healthcare, including Dr. Thea James, who serves as Boston Medical Center’s Associate Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of Mission, and Director of the Violence Prevention.

Dr. Thea James
Dec 23, 2020

Rebuilding a Resilient Vermont

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on Vermonters. But, if we move forward in the right way, we can build a resilient future for Vermont. Here are the three priority areas that we must work on to create the future we want.

local residents work on Vermont restoration project during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four people planting trees.
Dec 20, 2020

Conservation Matters: Fall 2020

This past year was one of the most challenging our country has faced in many of our lifetimes. Both the COVID-19 pandemic and the summer’s protests against police violence have forced deep, damaging inequities in our society out into the light of day. Now, as we start the new year, it’s up to all of us to ensure they not only stay there but that we actively work to redress them.

CLF Conservation Matters Fall 2020