In the 21st century, protecting and preserving natural resources doesnt need to take a backseat to other priorities.
And they’re realizing that a focus on green jobs can put people to work while spurring next-generation innovations.
How to attain his goal?
One Million Acts of Green.
But to really make a difference, he asked the city’s residents to join the effort.
That’s what the innovative, citywidePower to Change/One Million Acts of Greeninitiative is all about.
Ideas range from incentives for buying and using electric vehicles to enhancing neighborhood recycling programs and water management programs.
Ambassadors log and track their actions through the Power to Change/One Millions Acts of Green website.
Constituents now see Bates biking, walking and taking public transportation around town and many are following his lead.
Berkeley has the second highest walk-to-work rate and third highest bike-to-work rate among the nations midsize cities.
Increasing cycling and walking are components ofthe Climate Action Plan that Berkeley adopted.
That’s all captured inBGreen2020, a blueprint of 64 actionable strategies to guide the community’s efforts.
One innovative BGreen2020 project is the creation of a green jobs hub at an abandoned industrial site.
The project is funded primarily through a $16 million one-sixth penny sales tax approved by voters.
He established anEnergy, Efficiency, Environment and Conservation Task Forcecomprised of city staff and community leaders.
Other projects include the installation of solar panels and upgrading HVAC systems in city buildings.
For more complicated approaches, like composting, the city hosts educational events for residents and businesses.
In 2015, a policy task force was designated to create additional strategies to move Minneapolis toward zero waste.
There’s more to come as the city organizes itself to support a green future.
Raleigh, North Carolina
In 2011, theU.S.
Meeker also introducedNeighborwoods, a program that works with residents to plant more than 10,000 trees throughout the city.
That means taking on the challenge of climate change with an ambitiousClimate Action Plan.
The plan sets a high bar for success.
In its first year, the city created 50 milkweed gardens in public parks and at local firehouses.
Aquatic life including American eel, white perch and herring is now returning to the restored river.
Infrastructure upgrades improved water quality by separating the city’s storm and wastewater sewer systems.
The Takeaways
Page published June 2016
