How To Green Your City
By Anne O'Loughlin
Filed Under Green Living, The Big Picture |
A few weeks ago, Pippa Sorley of eCo Times, intrigued, inspired and even disgruntled readers with her announcement of the Top 5 Eco Cities In The US. Though I was indeed excited that my hometown of Boston made the list, it is undeniable that even the “Top 5’s” of the world still have a long way to go. Perhaps it’s time to consider what each of us can personally do to green our own city or town. This article explores direct actions that focus on local, manageable projects we can all do. May the force be with you!
Start At Home
If you truly believe in something, the best way to implement it is to practice what you preach. Making small changes in your daily routine will have a much larger impact than you can ever imagine. Put the car keys down and walk or bike to work. Buy a reusable bag to take to the grocery store, or reuse the ones piled up in your kitchen cupboard. Change your home appliances and light bulbs to energy efficient models. Check out the incredibly fun web game Consumer Consequences from American Public Media and Redefining Progress to find out how resource intense your personal lifestyle is. Then go to LowImpactLiving.com for great green projects you can do to lessen your impact on the planet. The list of small changes that make a big difference is massive, just choose one thing at a time and get started!
Team Up
Information sharing is the best way to raise awareness and influence people to improve their impact. Link up with your neighbors, or find like-minded folks in your area at MeetUp.com. Host a community potluck, block party or discussion group. Not only is this a social and fun community-builder, it has the potential to truly change your city or town for the better. Form an “Eco Team” that meets about once a month to discuss and implement ideas on how to make your households and neighborhood a little greener.
Revamp an empty plot into a garden, plant flowers and restore native trees at the neighborhood playground, or pick up litter at the local park. You can also get local businesses and institutions to sponsor wider initiatives, such as the installation of solar panels on schools and homes. Conscious Consuming is a great place to start; they initiated a neighborhood environmental group that has grown into an international organization which was recently nominated for the MySpace Impact Award.
Buy Local And Green
Seek out local companies and products that tie eco and social initiatives into their mission statements. Value-based organizations are everywhere and a lot easier to find then you might think. Read your local newspaper and blogs to keep up on what mom-and-pop businesses are doing close to home, visit your local farmer’s market, and support independentally-owned stores whenever possible. Check out Coop America’s National Green Pages or the new directory at GenGreen to find local businesses that are striving to make environmental and social change. For green dining choices, check out Local Harvest or GreenPeople.org.
Write Your Local Politician
It sounds so cliche, but it really works! The more legislation passed that protects our environment, the easier it is for our cities to collectively make a positive impact on our earth. Encourage your mayor to officially become a “green mayor” by signing the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. You can also seek out, join and support existing campaigns that are already lobbying to green your city.
Initiate Recycling And Composting Programs
It’s shocking how many American cities still do not have recycling programs, and even cities that do offer a neighborhood recycling pick-up often only accept limited items. Check out Earth 911, an online directory that can help you find a recycle or re-use center close to you. While there, browse through the numerous postings and helpful tidbits on tough recycling dilemmas such as what to do with electronics, batteries, or cars.
If your city or town doesn’t have an official recycling center, you can help start one! Contact your local government and ask them to get RecycleBank to come to your town. This innovative recycling model rewards great recycling efforts with points that can be redeemed at local businesses, so residents get paid for recycling!
You can also work with your local community centers, religious institutions, schools, and businesses to create convenient drop-off locations for residents and then arrange with independent companies, such as the West Coast Alcoa Recycling Company, Chicago-based ARC Disposal & Recycling, or New England-based Save That Stuff, to pick up the goods and get them recycled. If your city already has a robust recycling program, then take it to the next level and get your city to compost. Or set up an e-waste recycling program with Electronic Recyclers International.
Lead by example-green your own lifestyle and work together with likeminded individuals in your community to make the big changes you want to see in your city or town. The more effort you put forth, the more contagious your attitude will be, and before you know it, your community may very well find itself in the green spotlight.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead
Posted on July 31, 2008 |
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Great, informative article Anne. It really proves that by taking some small steps that maybe Kermie was wrong: it IS easy being green!