CitiesGoGreen - Promotional Issue - (Page 8)

Feature Article How Can Cities Respond to the 2030 Challenge? by Elizabeth Johnson Ed Mazria’s 2030 Challenge is for buildings to become increasingly energy efficient until by 2030 they are carbon neutral. The science suggests that doing so could avert the worst consequences of global warming. How can cities best respond? In short: Think in systems, measure, consult, set goals, educate, regulate, reward. I magine a tornado 1.7 miles wide, with winds of 205 mph (330 km/h). Imagine this tornado destroying 95% of your city, including all the municipal buildings. What do you do? Do you rebuild your municipal buildings to LEED Platinum standards? That’s how Greensburg, Kansas is responding to the May 4, 2007 “Greensburg tornado,” which both flattened the city and killed 10 of the 1500 residents. That’s with 20 minutes of tornado siren warning, which undoubtedly saved many lives. With that opportunity, Greensburg’s leaders and citizens made it the first city in the United States to mandate that all city buildings greater than 4,000 square feet be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certified. Stacy Barnes, Assistant to the City Administrator, says people hesitated at first for fear this was some sort of “hippy” idea. Greensburg’s residents have traditionally been very conservative. Soon, though, people began to realize this wasn’t a new concept at all. ‘’Greensburg is a farming community and sustainability practices have been around for hundreds of years,” she says. “In reality it comes down to common sense and being wiser and more responsible in terms of caring for what you have, and making it last.’’ The winds of change blew Greensburg from the past to the future. Will the rest of us wait for a similar experience, or learn from their story? The 2030 Challenge is a practical way to stop global warming. Just build more efficient buildings. Local governments could simply mandate new standards but that’s not enough. We talked with city planners, developers and others about what it takes to increase building efficiency dramatically. Here are the themes that emerged. Develop leaders Brent Toderian, Director of Planning in Vancouver, BC, says, “If you’re not changing business as usual, you’re failing.” Cities go green, he says, through leadership at the political, professional, and civic levels. Vancouver’s overwhelming support from all three is part of its great success in becoming more sustainable. He comments, “Whatever your ‘flavor’ of greenness, it’s about leadership.” Susan Anderson, Director of the Office of Sustainable Development in Portland, OR, says political support is absolutely essential, whether from the mayor or city council members. Equally necessary, she says, is support from key developers who believe in the necessity of achieving sustainability goals, in both residential and commercial sectors. .com April 2008

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CitiesGoGreen - Promotional Issue Contents In Motion Conversations with Mayors Feature Article: How Can Cities Respond to the 2030 Challenge? Fast Forward

CitiesGoGreen - Promotional Issue

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