The Resilient Connecticut! Workshop & Toolkit scheduled for Thursday, June 6, 2013, at Kroon Hall, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut is a groundbreaking workshop that will provide attendees with a toolkit of turnkey projects that will create more resilient, cost-effective communities. Mayors, first selectmen, town managers, sustainability directors, community task force leaders and community stakeholders are all invited to attend the workshop that will be held from 8:30am – 2:30pm. The cumulative efforts and focus of government, businesses, organizations and community members working together to create smarter and healthier communities have taken root. The Resilient Connecticut! Workshop & Toolkit will capture this energy, and provide a statewide opportunity for people to come together and learn how to solve some of our state’s biggest challenges.

The three major goals of the workshop are to share turnkey projects that bind resilient projects with economic payback, identify companies that can easily implement these projects, and to start the process of assembling a Resiliency Task Force to help support these efforts and lead the way; offering encouragement, information and answering questions for those who are just getting started on the road to resiliency. Attendees will receive a pre-workshop and post-workshop packet of resources to help support their local efforts as well as support from mentors that will help guide them through the process.

Special guests include James Boyle, Ph.D., Co-founder and Managing Director of the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute and Floyd Lapp, Ph.D., Executive Director of the South Western Regional Plan Agency.

Dr. James Boyle is a co-founder and Managing Director of the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute (YEI), a business/educational unit within Yale University with the mission of mentoring students with new venture ideas. Prior to forming YEI, Boyle was previously responsible within the Office of Cooperative Research (OCR) for the licensing and venture startup of a number of engineering-based technologies. Before joining OCR, he developed and actively managed the University’s largest corporate research alliance, managing a large array of both Yale and external scientists in bioimaging-based collaborations. Earlier, Boyle co-founded and grew a predictive analytics consulting practice, providing both technical and pricing guidance on new product development to a wide array of Fortune 1000 companies in the scientific equipment industry.

Dr. Boyle began his entrepreneurial career while still a Yale graduate student, developing novel instruments for characterizing trace biomolecules with the support of the National Institutes of Health, and later commercializing these devices through a wide array of OEM partnerships as part of a Yale startup.

Dr. Boyle comments, “If municipalities are going to truly embrace ‘green behavior’, it’s vital that they not only have access to best practices but also fully understand the economics of their choices. And if there truly are double-bottom line approaches then these benefits need to be communicated to their constituents”.

Dr. Floyd Lapp, Executive Director of the South Western Regional Plan Agency, has both master’s and doctoral degrees from New York University and many decades of experience in urban and regional planning, development and transportation. He has worked for the Westchester County, New York Department of Planning, the New Jersey State Planning Office, the Tri-State Regional Planning Commission, a northwest Bronx development corporation, NYC City Planning, as director of The Bronx Office and the transportation division, Planning/Zoning Director, Orange New Jersey and Executive Director of the South Western Regional Planning Agency, based in Stamford, Connecticut, since 2006. He also has worked as a consultant.

Dr. Lapp has served as an adjunct professor of urban planning at 15 colleges and universities including the last nine years in the graduate urban planning program at Columbia University. He served on the national boards of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners and was President of the N.Y. Metro Chapter of APA.

“Resiliency, sustainability and smart growth are starting to bring back the green in our landscape taken by the highway men and a once thriving auto-centric environment” says Dr. Lapp. He continues. Since Rome wasn’t built in a day, this movement will take decades to redress the grievances for our landscape to recover. Sessions like this one, which includes energy efficiency, train station solar projects, and so much more are part of the exciting movement that is about to leave the station and we should all get on board!”

Featured panelists include Mayor Bill Finch, First Selectman Mike Tetreau, and Bryan Garcia, President & CEO, Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA).

The Resilient Connecticut! Workshop & Toolkit Platinum Sponsor is NORESCO. Silver Sponsors include Energize Connecticut, Encon, Inc., Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut, Grassroots Environmental Education, GreenTowns and Live Green Connecticut!

Daphne Dixon, Director, Resilient Connecticut Workshop & Toolkit, Director, GreenTowns and Executive Director of Live Green Connecticut! states “The Resilient Connecticut Workshop & Toolkit is unique in that we will provide real-world projects that are working, and presented by the people that have successfully implemented these projects and are now reaping both the environmental as well as economic benefits. The workshop affords people in every town in Connecticut the opportunity to learn the secrets of municipal projects that provide both environmental as well as economic resiliency.” The workshop offers the chance to network and get great ideas and information, as well as the opportunity to be a part of a growing network of people who are interested in and dedicated to supporting each other and building true resiliency into our communities.

The workshop is open to the public and to municipal leaders. Organizers encourage participation by all sectors of the community. The sharing of information from a cross-section of people, creates the necessary synergy that supports true sustainability efforts that will improve our local communities and economy.

To register for the event, visit: http://resilientctnewhaven.eventbrite.com

GreenTowns welcomes Seth Leitman, Energy and Transportation Advisor.

Over the past few years I have written many different articles about the State of Texas going green and saving green (cash that is).  While I am from New York, my mom lives in Texas so I always keep an eye on the LoneStar State for Mom.

Here are three examples of collaborations for greening the economy in Texas.

Big Texas Sun Club® 

Green Mountain helped fund BRIT’s new photovoltaic system through its Big Texas Sun Club, a unique program in which Green Mountain’s Texas customers can choose to support solar energy installations in Texas by contributing an additional $5 on their monthly Green Mountain Energy^® electricity bill (visit the website for electricity rates and the link for the Big Texas Sun Club for information of solar power through Green Mountain Energy )

The mission of the Big Texas Sun Club is to fund, build and promote solar power in Texas while assisting organizations with a socially responsible focus to reduce their environmental footprint.

This was the 27^th solar project built in Texas thanks in part to the Big Texas Sun Club. With this installation, Green Mountain’s Big Texas Sun Club will be responsible for helping to create over 320 kW of new solar energy capacity in Texas since 2002.  The company is the longest serving green power marketer in the U.S. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of clean electricity products from renewable sources, such as wind, as well as a variety of carbon offset products. Green Mountain’s largest customer is the “world’s most famous office building,” the Empire State Building in New York City. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 11.3 billion pounds of CO₂ emissions.

Ford Gets Into Texas Electric Vehicle Preparedness

To help prepare North Texas with the operation of electric vehicles Ford Motor Company and Oncor (electric utility provider).will develop outreach programs on electric vehicles and share EV charging to ensure the electrical grid can support the necessary demand.

Cooperation between Ford and Oncor also involves working with the state and local governments on the most efficient ways to bring EVs to north Texas. Oncor has already installed more than a million of its 3.4 million smart meters, providing information to help customers charge vehicles when rates are lowest. Oncor will also build about 850 miles of new transmission lines from Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) in West Texas to the rest of the state by 2013, enabling electric vehicles to be powered from clean, renewable domestic sources.

“Oncor’s investment in new infrastructure from smart meters to CREZ lines makes Texas the best place in the world for plug-in electric cars,” said Bob Shapard, Chief Executive Officer of Oncor. “Our preparation now will help curb drivers’ emissions, improving air quality, and will reduce the need for power plants to charge these vehicles.”

The collaboration between Ford and Oncor was announced during Ford’s “Charging Into the Future Electric Vehicle Tour.” The 14-city tour, which kicked off at Portland State University in Portland, Ore. last month, promotes Ford’s electric vehicle strategy and educates consumers about what to expect from electrified automobiles and what is needed from the public and private sector to support this new technology.

EPA Agrees Texas Is Serious About Going Green and Saving Green

Hartman Elementary School in Wylie, Texas, and Office Depot in Plano, Texas, both were among the top ten overall finishers for EPA’s 2011 ENERGY Star Building Competition. In addition, St. Marks Medical Center in La Grange, Texas, finished first in the hospital category for the competition.

“The innovation and commitment these organizations have shown for a cleaner, healthier environment and economy will serve many future generations,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “These winners understand that the buildings where we work, play and learn have a high impact on our environment.”

The winners all used different tactics to save energy in their buildings. Together competitors saved $5.2 million on utility bills and more than 240 million kBtus of energy annually. Collectively, the competitors also prevented nearly 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equal to the emissions from 3,600 homes a year.

Keep It Going

While there are countless other examples, we’ll have to wait for another time.  Until then, recognize that the State of Texas is serious about going green.  As with everything, they do things Big!  These three examples were BIG!

Seth Leitman
The Green Living Guy
Author, Editor, Reporter, Blogger, Radio host and Producer
http://www.greenlivingguy.com
greenlivingguy@gmail.com
914-703-0311

Every month, people around the world gather together at what is known as “Green Drinks”.

Green Drinks, started in 1989 in London and began as a group of colleagues that gathered together on a regular basis to share ideas about eco-conscious living. The idea took root and grew into a global network of monthly gatherings, that are open and free to the public, decentralized, adaptive and viral. They are a great opportunity to talk and network with others interested in sustainability and local green issues, in a casual and friendly setting. It also serves as great place to job search, make friends, develop ideas and learn about the newest eco-friendly trends.

These gatherings are all as individual as the places where they are held and bring together people from  academia, government, business and the community. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network.

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne

Director, GreenTowns

(Pictured above is Yvonne Hickey, Xerox and Daphne Dixon, GreenTowns at Fairfield Green Drinks.)

GreenTowns is a social network that supports sustainability, locally and nationally. We believe that most people, want to live in greener, healthier and more resilient communities.

With your help, GreenTowns is sharing impactful, green initiatives throughout the country in 15,000 local, community networks. This allows everyone to share the building blocks that create sustainable communities. And by being connected nationally, and having so many initiatives in one place, we will be better informed, can help each other, and will magnify the impact of what we each do.

So please join me, along with others in your community, and people throughout America. Join your community network and post your profile. Let others know what you are doing and how they can connect with you. We will make a difference by building sustainable communities together. It’s easy to become a part of positive change.  And I am here to help. To get started, click here.

How Green is YOUR Town? Find out at GreenTowns.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

• Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
• Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
• How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne

Director, GreenTowns

(Pictured above is Dan Delventhal, MowGreen.US; Daphne Dixon, GreenTowns; CT DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty and Robert Araujo, Sikorsky Aircraft, celebrating local sustainability efforts at Fairfield Green Drinks.)

Everyone wants to live in a resilient community; a place that rebounds from adversity and stress of all kinds, and becomes stronger than before.

What enables a town to be resilient? It takes strong and intelligent leadership at the top, as well as active and responsible community members that are engaged with current and relevant issues. It takes metrics that measure economic payback from environmentally – friendly projects. Having established, integrated groups that understand and support sustainability and resiliency from both an environmental as well as an economic perspective, is essential. Important groups are Green Drinks, US Green Building Council chapters, and certified Master Gardeners. Involvement from green businesses like home energy auditors and green electricity providers is key. Last but not least, is a mechanism for consistent and effective ways for town/city leadership and community members to communicate and work together to improve resiliency.

Sacramento’s Mayor Kevin Johnson understands the importance of green initiatives and is a leader in sustainability efforts taking place in California.

You can be a part of building a resilient community. Check out Green Drinks, US Green Building Council or the Master Gardener programs in your area. Or ask me how to start!

How Green is YOUR town? Find out at GreenTowns.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

• Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
• Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
• How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne

Director, GreenTowns

How is a green community created? It takes an integrated approach to sustainability: local businesses, community members, government, corporations, should work  together to create and support resiliency.  It’s critical that this happens from the bottom up and the top down.

What’s the magic behind a green community and what are the essential components? Building blocks for a green community include an active chapter of the US Green Building Council, local Green Drinks organization, active Master Gardeners and support from town leaders. Check out Fairfield, Connecticut. GreenTowns supports these green community building blocks by featuring them on 15,000 community pages.

GreenTowns also participated in the recent Green Coast Awards ceremony in Fairfield, Connecticut, featuring 2012 Honoree, DEEP Commissioners Dan Esty. Pictured above are Fairfield County, Connecticut, 2012 Green Coast Awards Winners: Dan Delventhal, Founder, MowGreen.US; Daphne Dixon, Director, GreenTowns; Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Daniel Esty; Robert Araujo, Manager Sustainability and EHS Programs, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.)

How Green is YOUR town? Find out at GreenTowns.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

• Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
• Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
• How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne

Director, GreenTowns

More about the Green Coast Awards: The Green Coast Awards honor and recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are socially and environmentally responsible. The winners promote sustainability, have high ethical standards and make conscious decisions that improve resiliency in our communities. Voting was done online, throughout the year. Winners were announced at The Green Faire in Stamford Connecticut and at Fairfield Green Drinks in Fairfield, Connecticut. To see the complete list of 2012 Green Coast Award winners, please visit the Green Coast Awards Initiative on GreenTowns.

Watch more Earth Focus at http://www.linktv.org/earthfocus
An original investigative report by Earth Focus and UK’s Ecologist Film Unit looks at the risks of natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale. From toxic chemicals in drinking water to unregulated interstate dumping of potentially radioactive waste that experts fear can contaminate water supplies in major population centers including New York City, are the health consequences worth the economic gains?

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

What does sustainability mean to you? How do you define that word in relationship to your life, to your community and to the country? Is it a priority? Or something that is better left for when the economy is stronger?

One of the problems with the word  sustainability is that people have a hard time explaining it, defining it and understanding practical aspects of what it means to be sustainable. The word, in some ways, has been rendered useless.

A challenge with creating what some call sustainable communities, is understanding the goals. When most people are asked if sustainability should be a priority of government, the majority of people will say no. But, when people are asked if they want clean water, healthy food, transportation options, long-term prosperity and walkable communities, people say yes.

Somewhere along the way, the word sustainability stopped working. That doesn’t mean that we don’t want it, it just means we need a new word.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

• Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
• Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
• How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

Mayor Bloomberg and the MillionTreesNYC initiative.

Check it out:

Learn how Mayor Bloomberg is planning for one million more residents and how he is planning on balancing building the economy while supporting the environment.

Check out PlaNYC. and New York State’s Green Rating on GreenTowns Guides.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

• Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
• Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
• How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns

EarthTalk®
E – The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: The world added its seven-billionth person in 2011, but the news came and went quickly while Charlie Sheen news kept on and on. But isn’t population growth the “elephant in the room” that needs serious attention? Can you outline the major impacts of unchecked population growth and what if anything is being done to try to arrest it?                     – Aaron Rodriguez, Tucson, AZ

Unchecked human population growth could be a recipe for doom for the planet and its inhabitants. And it has reached staggering levels in recent years—the number of people on the planet has doubled from 3.5 billion to seven billion in just a half century. While we’ve made great strides in educating people around the world about family planning and birth control, the global fertility rate still hovers around 2.5 children per woman. At that rate, population will grow to 11 billion by 2050 and nearly 27 billion by 2100.

While such a scenario is unlikely given that fertility rates tend to decline as countries develop and modernize, the prospect of a planet with tens of billions of people on it is scary indeed. The first widely published pundit on the potential impacts of too much human population growth was Englishman Thomas Malthus, whose 1798 “An Essay on the Principle of Human Population” warned that violence, genocide, nasty weather, disease epidemics and pestilence would be precursors to widespread famine in a world with too many humans. “The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race,” he wrote.

History views Malthus as an extremist and many would argue that, despite population having swelled some seven times since his day, we have so far managed to avert a planet-wide “Malthusian catastrophe” whereby population has simply outpaced our ability to feed ourselves. Nonetheless, a 2007 UNICEF report indicated that 10.9 children under five-years-old die each year around the world, with malnutrition and other hunger-related diseases responsible for 60 percent of the tragedy. And a 2009 World Health Organization and UNICEF study found that some 24,000 children in developing countries were dying each day from preventable causes like diarrhea resulting from lack of access to clean water for drinking and sanitation.

The most obvious issue with seven billion of us here is our profligate consumption of dwindling natural resources and the waste and pollution generated in the process. A recent joint study by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Worldwatch Institute found that humans now use 20 percent more renewable resources than can be replaced each year. And while many would say that climate change has eclipsed overpopulation as the major issue of the day, others counter that atmospheric temperatures wouldn’t be growing nearly as much if there weren’t so darn many of us burning so many fossil fuels.

Human population numbers are predicted to trend downward around the world within a few generations. This so-called “demographic transition” is already underway in the U.S. and other developed countries where fertility rates have dropped due to lower infant mortality, increased urbanization and wider access to contraceptives. Given that fertility rates drop as countries develop, and that lesser developed countries have begun to leapfrog ahead in their urbanization and adoption of technology, the United Nations Population Fund predicts that population may peak in the late 21st century and then begin to shrink.

CONTACTS: United Nations Population Fund, www.unfpa.org.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.

Here’s What You Can Do RIGHT NOW!

• Join your community’s GreenTowns network and stay connected.
• Discover sustainability initiatives in your town.
• How green is your state? Check out GreenTowns Guides: Greenest States

Together, we will make a difference.

Daphne
Director, GreenTowns