News and updates from the Mid-America Regional Council
On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Climate Action KC coalition hosted its first Climate Action Summit at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. About 485 people attended the full-day event, and 725 were on hand for the afternoon keynote session, which was open to the public. Highlights of the summit included: A welcome by […]
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Starting Oct. 1, interested applicants, including government agencies with diesel fleets, can apply for funding from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) to help reduce diesel emissions. In 2016, the U.S. reached a settlement agreement with Volkswagen related to its violation of Clean Air Act regulations for diesel emissions. MoDNR will award $41 million […]
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Nearly 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug regularly, and more than half take two, according to the Mayo Clinic. That translates to a large amount of leftover pills and prescription bottles that eventually have to go somewhere. In the Kansas City area, there are many safe disposal options. Lock ‘em up […]
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On Saturday Aug. 24, 81 “ploggers” participated in Kansas City’s first plogging event. Plogging is a combination of jogging and picking up litter, a practice that has become popular as concern spreads about litter washing into storm sewers, rivers and streams. The inaugural Plog-a-thon, sponsored by MARC’s Water Quality Public Education Committee with support from […]
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You’ve probably jogged before, but have you plogged? Plogging is a way to add bending and stretching to your exercise routine — and help improve water quality — by picking up litter while you go for a run. It’s a trend that started in Sweden in 2016 and is rapidly spreading to everywhere people want […]
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The start of the school year is only a few weeks away, so it may seem like summer is almost over. But there’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy outdoor adventures across the Kansas City region. Warm weather is perfect for getting outside, but summer heat can also cause higher levels of ozone pollution […]
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Danger. Warning. Caution. Flammable, toxic, corrosive or reactive items in your home with those words on the label are hazardous waste. This type of waste can be harmful to your health and the environment if they are not properly used and managed. Household hazardous waste (HHW) such as paint, cleaners, lawn and garden products, automotive […]
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When we think of infrastructure, the first things that come to mind are often made of concrete, metal, or bricks and mortar: roads and bridges, utility systems, buildings and parking lots. But healthy development also includes “green” infrastructure. Green infrastructure uses natural elements — such as trees, rain gardens, native landscaping, parks, bioswales and stream […]
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Operation Green Light (OGL) has been aiding in the safety and efficiency of traffic signal operations across the Kansas City metropolitan area since the program was started in 2004. The goals of the program are to reduce travel time, fuel consumption and air pollution while ensuring safety and efficiency. Recently, Grandview and Blue Springs joined […]
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Climate change is a global issue, but climate resilience starts at the local level. Last December, local elected officials held a workshop to discuss potential climate solutions for Greater Kansas City, and that initial conversation led to the formation of the Metro KC Climate Action Coalition. This fall, coalition members will host their first-ever Metro […]
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