plans

Novato, Calif.’s, Sustainability Committee is holding a public workshop to receive input and comments on the development of its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS) and Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP).

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Think your town is too small to go big into sustainability? Think it takes too much money to make a real statement? Think again. Ashton Hayes, a village in Northwest England, is becoming a global model for how to live sustainably. And it’s doing so in ways that any town, no matter how small, can emulate.

The village has made becoming the country’s first zero carbon emissions community its goal, according to a piece by Sarah Mukherjee, environment correspondent for BBC News. continue

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, from his  state of the city address:

I returned just two hours ago, from a trip to Washington — and a face-to-face meeting with Energy Secretary Steven Chu. I took Dr. Crow with me (although I forgot to bring him back). We talked to the Secretary about the importance of renewable energy sources — the importance of freeing ourselves from our dependency on foreign oil – and the jobs that will come to the city that leads on this issue.

I told him that Phoenix would lead – and we’ll do it with “Green Phoenix” – a 17-point plan which, in short, is designed to make Phoenix, America’s first Carbon-Neutral City – America’s Greenest City. It is a plan that already has the Secretary’s endorsement – and a plan I am excited to share with you today.

Apparently details have yet to emerge, but stay tuned.

For those who see a bright green future, here’s evidence it makes sense. The jobs aspect ought to be interesting for local communities, not to mention the long term benefits.

Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) commissioned a study from the German Aerospace Center. Based on that study, Greenpeace is putting forth the Energy [R]evolution U.S. Scenario, a  blueprint for how the U.S. can use energy more efficiently and increase renewable energy generating capacity to cut current CO2 emissions levels some 23% by 2020 and 85% by 2050.

Here’s the press release with an overview of the bottom line elements. Keep reading for another overview: continue