Recent Blog Posts

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/a-chance-to-take-the-hig

With the City of Savannah leaning green, as evidenced by the Thrive initiative, a test case presents itself. Project DeRenne could provide proof the City is willing to, “walk the talk,” as Mayor Johnson might say. On one side are community advocates, who want to protect neighborhoods and believe that streets should be community assets, not just pipes that move cars. On the other are motorists—many of whom decided to move from Savannah to the suburbs—looking to shave a couple minutes off their commutes.

The outcome will demonstrate which is the priority: community or cars?

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/wsav-drills-deeper-into-

Our local television news operations are good at a number of things. Delivering spot news, weather and interviews with high school football players are among these. Unfortunately, tight deadlines usually prevent them from fully exploring complex issues, which can’t be told with two interviews and some b-roll. Russ Riesigner’s “Drilling for Answers” report, which aired on Aug. 20, is the exception to the rule.

Riesinger starts off in standard mode, interviewing representatives Barrow and Kingston, both of whom express support for offshore oil drilling. Then David Kyler, of the Center for a Sustainable Coast, offers a contrary view, followed by comments from tourists who have been duped into marching with the drill team.

Politicians? Check. Treehugger? Check. Average folks? Check. And that’s where the story normally would have ended.

But WSAV drilled down deeper into the issue, offering the following insights that normally wouldn’t have been included in the standard issue package:

• Despite what the politicians say and most of America believes, offshore drilling won’t provide instant relief.


• Oil is fungible global commodity and this isn’t Las Vegas. There’s no guarantee that what’s drilled in this country will stay in this country.


• While there’s been plenty of talk about safer drilling platforms, there’s other infrastructure involved, including pipelines that bring their own environmental concerns.


• Rigs aren’t likely to appear off the coast of Tybee, anyway, as our coastline has poor prospects for oil production.

WSAV called the segment a “special” report and I would agree with that assessment.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/government/a-collaborative-effort/

By now, you’ve read the reports about the city’s new Thrive Initiative. The public announcement and pledge is an important first step in moving the city toward a more (environmentally) sustainable future.

The even better news is that there are is a lot of opportunity for citizens (that means you!) and local organizations (and you!) to take part in the crucial next steps of:

Developing policies and programming

Implementing policies and programming

Measuring the effects of policies and programming

Reporting on progress or lack therof to ensure transparency

Members of the Savannah Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Savanah Bicycle Campaign, Savannah State University and A.W.O.L threw their respective hats into the ring last night to welcome responses from the mayor, city manager and council. The promise of collaboration is very encouraging.

Before the Thrive Initiative was introduced, members of the audience were brought up to speed on the ongoing efforts the city and its partners are undertaking in the areas of Crime, Economic Development, The DeRenne Project, Affordable Housing and Youth. Moving forward, I hope that we will start to look for synergies between these other issues and the city’s efforts to improve environmental quality in the Savannah area. Ultimately, all three three legs of the sustainability stool (community, economy, environment) must be addressed and addressing them together should prove more innovative and effective.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/global-warming/city-goes-live-with-thri

Tonight’s City of Savannah town hall meeting served as a launch, of a sort. Introduced was the city’s “Thrive: Environment • Economy • Community” theme. During the meeting, the mayor and city council publicly took the “Thrive Pledge.” It reads:

“I will strive to understand the social and environmental consequences of my actions and pledge to help Savannah Thrive by taking part in activities that promote an eco-friendly and sustainable community.”

A video screened during the meeting cataloged initiatives the city is currently undertaking or considering, including:

• Elimination of desktop printers in City offices


• LEED certified government buildings


• Energy audits


• Fuel efficient vehicles


• Flextime and telecommuting programs for City employees


• City involvement in Coastal Commuters and subsidized CAT passes for City employees


• Low flow fixtures


• Methane recovery in water treatment


• Education programs to promote the reuse of materials, not just recylcing


• Recycling education for the public


• Recycling in municipal buildings


• Composting at city facilities.

While all these ideas hold promise, the most encouraging announcement of the evening had nothing to do with what the City can do better. It was about how bad things are now. The completion of a study of the City’s carbon footprint, using 2006 as the baseline year, revealed the City government produces 75,320 tons of equivalent carbon emissions per year.  Without this baseline, it would be impossible to determine the success of emission reduction initiatives.

 Mayor Otis Johnson talked the role of local governments in the effort to address climate change, describing it as a “grassroots movement” that would eventually change national policies. It sounded as if he’s read a certain book by a certain local author. Savannah’s efforts, he said, corresponded by those being advanced “enlightened” leaders in other communities.

Johnson also encouraged participation in the curbside recycling, once it is initiated next year. “We need all the trash we can get,” he said, referring to the recycling companies payments to the City for materials received. Alderman Larry Stuber made similar remarks. Alderman Van Johnson suggested that container deposit legislation should be explored at the state level.

Mary Landers’ report on the meeting is here and Tristan Tully’s is here.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/aug-20-town-hall-meeting

An Aug. 20 meeting at the Savannah Civic Center will, “present background information on current environmental initiatives, including our organization’s goals to reduce carbon emissions and the upcoming launch of curbside recycling,” according to the city’s Web site. In addition, “Citizens are encouraged to share their ideas and pledge to make changes in their own lives to support an earth-friendly future in Savannah.” The town hall meeting begins at 7 p.m.