The Big Apple Turns Green

Green

New York City has taken on the ambitious goal of becoming the greenest city in America by 2030. As crowded as the City is, it seems almost impossible to turn a land of mostly concrete, steel, and smog into a green oasis. Many would think traffic and power plants are a major source of pollution for the region but surprisingly they are not. The City has over one million buildings, which currently produce 80 percent of the region’s carbon footprint due to energy use. The abundance of powerful, luxury corporate skyscrapers and older residential buildings populated throughout the city require vast amounts of power to operate and sustain. Green building and renovating on a larger scale can dramatically improve efficiency and reduce costs by an estimated three-quarters of a billion dollars a year.

Local officials have announced a comprehensive legislation package to improve the overall quality of living for City residents. In addition to helping significantly reduce the City’s carbon footprint, the legislation package aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing commercial, residential, and government buildings by 30 percent. The package will reduce energy use and in turn save consumers money while creating thousands of well-paying jobs to accomplish these goals.

As New York City’s Energy Code is redefined, Harlem residents can expect buildings in their neighborhoods, both commercial and residential, to begin renovating lighting and energy emission systems to meet the new city standards. The City encourages residents and small business owners to take small steps to help green their homes, offices, and lifestyles.

Green Tips for Urban Dwellers

Whatcha building?

Check out these organizations that are the go-to experts in green building in New York City:

• § GreenHome NYC connects New York residents with local experts and actionable information to help improve the energy and environmental performance of their homes and buildings.

• § GreenDepot is the leading supplier of environmentally friendly and sustainable building products, services, and home solutions. There are locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Where ya going?

• § NYC Green Car is the premier company for individuals and corporations who wish to cut back on their carbon footprint without sacrificing high quality service expectations.

• § Also don’t forget about traveling by bike. Try PediCabs, BicyTaxi, or PonyCabs!

Whatcha know?

Check out these books for more ways to incorporate green living in everyday settings:

• § Greenopia, New York City: The Definitive Guide to More Than 1,300 Eco-Friendly Businesses and Resources

By: LLC The Green Media Group

• § The Big Green Apple: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Living in New York City

By: Ben Jervey

The State of Environmental Justice in America Conference 2009

Hailing from all corners of America, the 2009 State of Environmental Justice in America Conference challenged participants to examine environmental justice from diverse perspectives and to discuss strategies and programs that have been and will effectively address this issue. Grassroots organizations, representatives of federal agencies, industry and academia leaders, and environmental advocates all gathered for the annual conference, which was held from May 27^th-May 29^th in Arlington, VA.

As the issue of environmental justice continues to break into the spotlight of the President’s Energy agenda, many advocates and life-long leaders are taking center stage to provide a voice. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Administrator Lisa P. Jackson could not attend in person but provided a special video for conference participants encouraging a continued effort to fight for environmental justice in all aspects. Administrator Jackson also highlighted the importance of continuing to build relationships between agencies and grassroots organizations.

Human rights activist Dr. Mildred McClain was honored with an award the opening night of the conference. Dr. McClain is the Executive Director of Citizens for Environmental Justice, Inc., the Harambee House, Inc., and the Southern Association of Black Educators, Inc. She has worked as a human rights activist for 30 years and has served as an administrator, teacher, and consultant.

Given that environmental justice has a broad scope of issues, the conference showcased individual sessions on topics such as federal environmental justice grants for communities, green jobs and technology, indigenous communities and human rights, climate change, brownfields and community redevelopment, education, safety and government efforts tackling environmental justice.

As environmental justice is a complex issue, the conference encouraged participants and those interested to continue to reflect on what environmental justice means as we move further into the future, to evaluate the progress that has been made, and to act on what still remains to be done.

The US Department of Energy, the US Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, Howard University School of Law, the National Small Town Alliance, and the African American Environmentalists Association sponsored the conference.

www.share.og

Advertisement