I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by minimizing energy and water consumption in my home to the greatest extent possible.
Meet our newest Net-Zero Hero, Jerry Bramwell! In 2013, Jerry and his wife, Lauree, made the decision to move from Houston to Austin to be closer to their family. They ended up buying the home right next door to their daughter Amy and began a four-year remodeli…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by finding renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.
Meet Pranav Sarma, a student at Artie Henry Middle School in Cedar Park, TX. Pranav recently competed against hundreds of students in the 2019 Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. For his project, Pranav focused on using biomass — a waste material…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by using repurposed materials to tell stories with purpose.
Meet Caroline Reck, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Glass Half Full Theatre. Caroline is a puppeteer, and her theatre company creates original works about global issues using puppets and performers. To be clear, when we s…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by making sustainable living fun for the whole family.
Meet Nhat Ho, our newest Net-Zero Hero! Nhat is an engineer and Vice President at Civilitude, a local engineering and planning firm located in Austin’s Mueller district. Nhat uses his skills and expertise in engineering to serve on the City’s Water and Wastewater Commission, as well as the Joint Sustainabil…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by reshaping the perception of “waste,” and understanding that one product’s by-product can be another product’s starting point.
Meet Miranda Bennett, the founder of Miranda Bennett Studio, a sustainable clothing brand based in Austin. Miranda is an Austin native who moved to New York at age 17 to study fash…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by reducing, reusing, and getting creative with food!
Meet Rosie Treviño, our newest Net-Zero Hero! Rosie loves to cook and gets creative in the kitchen, working to ensure that no food goes to waste. She was originally inspired by Chef Dan Barber’s con…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by creating green, affordable housing managed by staff trained in sustainability, powered by solar energy.
Meet Susan Peterson, the former Director of Green Initiatives for Foundation Communities, a local non-profit affordable housing developer. During her time at FC, Susan has helped build the economic value of the organization’s sustaina…
Nine-year-old Asvini Thivakaran has been tirelessly raising awareness about battery recycling in her community in Round Rock, Texas, for the past two years. Beginning with battery recycling in her home, she expanded her efforts to multiple locations in her community, diverting thousands of batteries from the landfill. Asvini was recently recognized for her efforts with the President’s Environmental Youth Award, which she accepted in Washington, D.C. Awarded by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the award recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth. Asvini is a fourth grade…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by reinventing the urban school meal experience
When you picture school cafeteria food, what comes to mind? Many of us remember being served foods like pizza, chicken tenders, and tater tots — not exactly healthy food options. Anneliese Tanner is trying to change that. Anneliese is the Executive Director of Nutrition and Food Services at Austin ISD. Since…
I’m helping to make Austin Net-Zero by demonstrating the viability and advantages of an off-grid, solar-powered business
Meet Tom Myers, owner of a local shaved ice company called SolarSno. SolarSno's food trucks are the first in Austin to be powered entirely off the grid using renewable solar energy. While Tom was deployed as a Marine in Afghanistan, he saw firsthand the advantages that off-grid solar systems can have. Once he returned to Austin, he sought to take those lessons learned and apply them in the food tru…