Climate Change

The Future Is Green KC!

On April 13, Bridging The Gap celebrated The Future is Green with a community and fundraising event at The Madrid. The keynote speaker was Lionel Bradford, President/CEO of The Greening of Detroit, who shared his roadmap to success for building a green workforce and how green infrastructure is creating a climate resilient community in Detroit. … Continued

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Reduce single-use plastic to protect waterways

Plastic pollution is an increasingly urgent problem for Missouri’s waterways. Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans, and the problem is only getting worse. Plastic pollution is a major threat to aquatic ecosystems, and it can have devastating effects on the health of our water sources. The … Continued

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The Reduce-Reuse-Recycle & Water Connection

We humans are a literal bunch, better at responding to the sensory cues immediately before us than to abstract concepts in some far-off time frame. Tangible beats conceptual, and now beats future, every time. Just ask the credit card industry. Our bias toward the tangible and the now can make it hard to appreciate abstract … Continued

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Proposed KCMO Tree Preservation Ordinance

The KCMO Neighborhood Planning and Development Committee will consider a proposed Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance to protect and preserve Kansas City’s tree canopy at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, February 8, in the City Council Chambers, Floor 26. Testimony can be provided virtually or in-person at the meetings, or emails can be sent to City … Continued

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D.I.Y. Leak Inspections

When was the last time you went into your basement and really took a good look around? How about the last time you pulled stuff out from under your kitchen sink or opened your utility closet? Do you have a dripping faucet or a running toilet you’ve been putting off getting fixed? A do-it-yourself visual leak … Continued

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In Appreciation of Winter

Winter’s not as long in Kansas City as it is in, say, Minnesota, but it’s long enough for most of us. While climate change is erratically spiking some very warm days even in December, we can generally count on it being cold, unpredictably icy or snowy, and somewhat gray for at least four months. I … Continued

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The climate case for long underwear

When people think of actions they can take to cut their global warming pollution, they typically think first of big, high-tech changes like buying an electric car or installing solar panels on their home. These can certainly have a large impact, but they typically require a big expenditure up-front (even though they will save you … Continued

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October is Energy Awareness Month

October kicks off the start of National Energy Awareness Month, and October 5 is Energy Efficiency Day. To celebrate, we’ve compiled some helpful tips and resources to help you make your home energy efficiency, and likely save money while doing so. Did you know? Buildings and homes generate 63% of our region’s greenhouse gas emissions. … Continued

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Reflections on summer’s heat

Climate scientists predict an increase in the number of extreme heat days for the KC metro area in the coming years, and this summer seemed to align with that forecast. Two of our programs, Heartland Tree Alliance and the KCMO Recycling Drop-off Centers, take an informal measure of its impact on their work over this past … Continued

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The Inflation Reduction Act + Climate Change

I’m a tough old bird, but when I got the news that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) had passed through the House and Senate—projectile tears. For the first time, the United States government is putting what in my opinion is the proper priority on the threat of climate change to the web of life on … Continued

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BTG Honored to Be Selected for the 2022 Justice4

Bridging The Gap is proud to announce that thanks to our Program Director Kechia Smith’s leadership, we’ve been chosen as one of only 49 community-based, climate-justice organizations nationally, who are applying local knowledge and wisdom to find solutions to the climate crisis.  Anchored in love and service, the Justice40 Accelerator is a 12-month program that … Continued

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Join BTG as an AmeriCorps VISTA!

Our Heartland Tree Alliance program is partnering with UMKC to hire an AmeriCorps Social Justice and Community Engagement VISTA this fall. Could it be you? This position will serve an important role in setting HTA’s focus areas for future tree planting efforts. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and degree verification to shannon.r.wheeler@umkc.edu. Additional … Continued

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When Green Means Curbside Pickup: Supporting Kan

  By Ben Carpenter, HTA Program Associate   My little brother is getting married in July. I know, poor timing. If only he had considered the possibility of a global pandemic upsetting his years-long engagement. However, the show must go on, albeit from a distance. This is a situation in which a thoughtful gift from … Continued

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COMPOSTING FOR OUR FUTURE

By Ami Freeberg, Volunteer Program Manager This week, May 3-9, 2020, we celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, a global initiative to educate and inspire people about composting. I grew up composting in a big pile at the back of our large backyard garden – piling food scraps and grass clippings together to break down and … Continued

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Earth week series – 5

The best time to plant a tree is now. The Arbor Day Foundation provides resources to individuals who are interested in doing so, including where to find free or low cost trees in your area and tips about how to plant your tree so it thrive. For those interested in fruit trees are another excellent … Continued

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Earth week series – 4

    By John Fish, Litter Abatement Program Coordinator and Recycling Center Manager There’s no getting around the fact that our lives have been upended by this pandemic. We had forgotten just how much havoc something unseeable with the naked eye can cause.  Although much of our ordinary life has been suspended by the need … Continued

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Earth week series – 3

    Each of us generate waste through practically everything we do, at an average rate of 4.51 pounds per day, according to the EPA (2017). Through the three R’s, reduce, reuse, and recycle, that number can be greatly reduced.  Today we challenge you to think of ways you can reduce and reuse BEFORE you … Continued

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Earth Week Series – 2

    By James Joerke, Associate Executive Director With many of us spending more time at home these days, it’s the perfect time to take action to make your home more energy efficient. These simple steps will make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills. Install a programmable thermostat. Installing a programmable thermostat … Continued

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Earth Week Series – 1

    Quarantine isolation leaves many people feeling trapped inside, not able to enjoy nature as regularly as one may desire.  However, the benefits of walking outside every day are proven to help keep you healthy. Your mood will improve. You’ll feel more creative. You’ll lower your risk of lung cancer. Your skin will look … Continued

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