The World Car Free network www.worldcarfree.net is urging people around the world take the heat off the planet by giving up their cars for one day. International Car Free Day is September 22, and the organization, which promotes green transportation alternatives, is hoping that one day can turn into a week, then a month, and, eventually, a smaller carbon footprint for everyone.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund www.edf.org, the U.S. has 30 percent of the world’s cars but emits 45 percent of the world’s global automotive CO2 emissions; an estimated 450 million tons are emitted by personal vehicles alone.

So, on the 22nd, give your car the day off. Hop a subway or ride a bike. The planet will be grateful.

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).

continue

Farmers’ markets are sprouting up like, well, weeds in urban areas across the country. Some are wildly successful. Some never really get off the ground. continue

Minority women in New York’s South Bronx are turning three acres of “scruffy marginal land” into an herb and vegetable paradise. According to Treehugger.com, La Finca Del Sur, the “Farm of the South,” is an urban farmer cooperative with a goal of providing affordable, fresh produce to the community, while encouraging healthy living and educating the public about the environment and social equity. continue

Guest writer Phil Pitchford, CQ Media Group, LLC

Riverside, California is planning to convert a former landfill into a photovoltaic (PV) farm that produces solar energy. But city officials were concerned that some residents might oppose the project, so they held a community meeting and erected E-Z Up tents so residents could see just where the solar panels would be. continue

Richard W. Lariviere, President of University of Oregon, where treadmill workouts are converted to energy.

Treehugger just published their list of 10 greenest college campuses. While colleges bring prestige and the students generate income for the local community, they also use tremendous amounts of energy, water and landfill capacity. Colleges that pursue green practices demonstrate stewardship, become better partners with the community, and are more attractive to students.

The colleges identified by Treehugger vary from private to public institutions with populations from a few hundred to 39,000. The institutions are located on both coasts and in the middle of the country. When looking at their green practices it is obvious that the commitment must come from both the college and students.
continue

To learn how your city compares to other cities your size check out Smarter Cities , a project of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The mission of Smarter Cities is to nudge cities towards friendly competition about sustainability. The website has a wealth of information about best practices and ideas cities are employing to become greener. You can even take a quiz to see how city smart you are about urban rehabilitation, sprawl, green space, green building, renewable energy, energy conservation, water, transportation, food, recycling and air.
continue