sustainability

In this tight economy your city may be looking for new ways to more efficiently spend your financial resources and attract green jobs, while making your community more livable. You might want to take a look at what San Francisco is doing. continue

Are you a California business, government or organization that is particularly proud of your sustainability efforts? Would you like to tell the world about those efforts?

Well, the California Sustainability Alliance can help. continue

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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Community and urban gardens are an important component of making sustainable communities. The National Community Gardening Week is an opportunity for your local government to show support by publicly promoting community gardens August 23 – 29.

According to the Department of Agriculture website, US Agriculture Secretary Vilsack declared August 23 – 29 National Community Gardening Week. “Community gardens provide numerous benefits including opportunities for local food production, resource conservation, and neighborhood beautification,” said Vilsack. “But they also promote family and community interaction and enhance opportunities to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Each of these benefits is something we can and should strive for.”
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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

The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives – Local Governments for Sustainability has released a free resource to help communities with 25,000 people or fewer launch and maintain climate, energy and sustainability initiatives. ICLEI’s Small Communities Toolkit provides detailed resources, case studies, and insight to help small communities succeed despite limitations of staff and funding. continue

Sustainability is one of the top issues identified in a recent National League of Cities survey, and the topic will be woven into upcoming conferences accordingly. continue

While Congress debates climate and energy legislation, local governments are moving forward. In recognition of that fact, Mother Nature Network has named seven local leaders the country’s top “Eco-mayors.”

The seven represent diverse geographic and economic landscapes, with one thing in common:

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Franklin's electric car is drawing attention

Getting a parking ticket in Franklin, Tenn., just got a whole lot cuter. As part of the city’s “Go Green” effort, the Franklin Police Department purchased an electric car to enforce parking in the historic downtown area and nearby parking garages. continue

Eco Alternative Solutions, LLC is looking for 25 large US cities to participate in a no-cost 90-day trial of its Integrated Solar Series (ISS). ISS is an innovative solar-powered street light system. The company says ISS lights have been “vigorously tested” over the last year and half and placing lights in 25 selected cities will provide data from different ambient conditions.

The solar unit replaces the city’s current lighting system on 30 foot utility poles commonly used on residential and busy streets. Solar power is stored in batteries, and at dusk the the unit powers up white or yellow LEDs for 8 to 12 hours of lighting. continue