Author: Michael Shank

5 Reasons Why Cities Should Create an Office of Urban Agriculture

FAST COMPANY 07/14/23 By Michael Shank and Kate Lee There’s a new movement cropping up in city governments across America. It’s apolitical enough that it can avoid the polarization that comes with other climate initiatives. And it’s easy to incorporate because it spans many aspects of city governance and life, […]

My Life by Lois Shank Gerber

My Life By Lois Shank Gerber June 2011 My life has come nearly full circle. I grew up on a farm near Spring City in Chester County, and now in this period of my life I am back in PA, living in a house located several houses from my immigrant […]

Climate Action Plan Communication

BENNINGTON BANNER 06/19/23 MANCHESTER JOURNAL 06/19/23 RUTLAND HERALD 06/21/23 TIMES ARGUS 06/21/23 By Michael Shank Most cities that consider themselves environmental leaders have developed climate action plans that articulate how they’re reducing emissions, adapting to climate impacts, and promoting circularity and equity. Vermont cities, like Burlington and Montpelier, have done […]

Waste is a Terrible Thing to Waste

BRATTLEBORO REFORMER 3/30/23 CALEDONIAN RECORD 3/31/23 TIMES ARGUS 04/01/23 RUTLAND HERALD 04/01/23 VTDIGGER 04/10/23 By Michael Shank As the saying goes, waste is a terrible thing to waste. They don’t say that, but they should. Because one of our member cities, Toronto, is doing everything it can to ensure it’s […]

Can Sewers Provide the Low-Carbon Heat We Need?

REUTERS 03/20/23 By Michael Shank In the search for cheap, green heat, cities from Toronto to Seattle are harnessing a wasted asset: human poop As the saying goes, waste is a terrible thing to waste. They don’t say that, but they should. Because one of our member cities, Toronto, is […]