This Levin College Forum event will be held on Saturday May 20, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at:

 

Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

Cleveland State University

Glickman-Miller Hall, Atrium

1717 Euclid Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

 

Registration is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is strongly suggested. Register online at http://urban.csuohio.edu/forum/neighborhoods/ or call 216.523.7330.

 

Program:

 

Some of Cleveland’s neighborhoods are becoming models of sustainability; others have the building blocks in place. This forum will provide an opportunity for community development professionals, city planners, designers, developers, investors, elected officials and the public to brainstorm how best to build on these assets to create more sustainable neighborhoods.

 

Our guest speaker, Matthew Carmona, is Head of the Planning School at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, and is a well known educator, theorist, and designer in the field of urban design, with a special competence in sustainable planning. He will discuss the policy context for delivering high quality built and natural environments through sustainable urban planning.

 

Representatives of Cleveland’s community development corporations will showcase sustainable neighborhoods, the lessons learned from development successes, and the tools and potential partners (institutions, funders, and professionals).

Columbus finishes last in survey of sustainable living

City officials say emphasis on commuting overstated, question criteria and data used

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Matt Tullis

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Columbus ranked dead last among the country’s 50 largest cities in a study that city officials said is flawed and the ranking unfair.

 

SustainLane, an organization that bills itself as an online resource for healthy and sustainable living, ranked cities based on 15 economic and quality-of-life categories.

 

It was the second time the organization ranked U.S. cities by sustainability, but the first time it looked at the 50 largest cities.

 

...

 

[email protected]

 

 

http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/04/20060604-C5-00.html

Damn they didnt even bother with Cincinnati...

 

Because Cincinnati city (and Pittsburgh) are not Top 50 American cities anymore.  That's why you'll see Mesa, AZ over Buffalo.

I love how they mention Cleveland's two "paltry" farmer's markets.  Seriously--have these people actually been to the West Side Market???

 

RE:  Columbus, perhaps Mr. Coleman can explain how his city IS sustainable instead of bitching about a (justly-deserved) dead-last ranking.  When continuous annexation of outlying areas is your strategy for "growth", you directly contradict the definition of the term "sustainable". 

"The fact we do not have rail transit or mass transit here is a very large negative as far as they are concerned," he said. "It’s unfair to talk about the city being unsustainable because we don’t have mass transit."

 

Um, no it's not. Wow, if that isn't someone in denial about the importance of mass transit to a community's viability, desirability and sustainability, I don't know what is.

 

He seems to think that a city has to be large in order to have quality mass transit. Someone needs to send him to Portland, Ottawa, Calgary and, oh, my favorite -- Karlsrhue Germany -- a city the size of Dayton (273,000 city, 1.3 million metro) that has a rail transit system that's more extensive than Boston's.

 

 

 

Now tell me this isn't the urban quality of life many of seek and that even Columbus city officials would love to have....

 

 

 

 

The streetcar also operates some 20 miles out from the city on railroad lines (something that often cannot be done in the U.S. due to weight differences with freight trains)

 

If they build the Columbus streetcar service, the city will have greatly improved its urban quality of life and sustainability.

yea i was kinda surprised about the farmers market comment for cleveland

 

 

SustainLane used bad data and studied issues that skew the rankings in favor of cities with large mass transit systems.

 

well... isnt that the point of a sustainable city...??  what a ridiculous mindset

 

Cleveland would have done better if they looked at regional park assets, and not just city.

"The fact we do not have rail transit or mass transit here is a very large negative as far as they are concerned," he said. "It’s unfair to talk about the city being unsustainable because we don’t have mass transit."

 

I think the mayor was on point for the most point. Rail systems aren't effective nor desirable in areas that have dispersed centers of employment. Smaller cities may have light rail, but at a huge cost to the taxpayer and many empty seats. An effective bus system should suffice. "No Mass Transit", doesn't COTA count?

I think the mayor was on point for the most point. Rail systems aren't effective nor desirable in areas that have dispersed centers of employment.

 

The mayor showed he's a moron. Such dispersal is why low-density cities don't do well on the sustainability scale. What the mayor said is like a fat man complaining that his girth shouldn't be blamed for having high blood pressure. Worse, he may have had a good time getting that belly, but he's one crisis away from risking collapse.

 

And, are you referring to dispersed cities like Denver? It's certainly one of the sprawling, low-density cities of this nation that grew up in the post-war freeway-building boom.

 

Denver has decided such land use patterns aren't a good way to have a viable, vibrant, connected, energetic, accessible and, yes, sustainable city. Thus, it (and cities such as Portland, San Diego and others), realized it needed to change its transportation investment strategy if it was to change its land use (because, as we all know here, transportation investments and land use forms are inextricably linked -- don't we?).

 

Denver was able to draw more ridership than was projected to its initial light rail lines, which prompted voters to pass a $4.7 billion mass transportation bond issue to pay for new light rail lines, new commuter rail lines and one busway. It was combined with a regional land use reform strategy to entice focusing development near rail stations and transit hubs. If Denver can do it, any city can! Read http://www.mlui.org/transportation/fullarticle.asp?fileid=16880 for more info.

 

Innerbelt guy, you seem to feel as many others do (unfortunately) that our cities are the result of some natural act that is beyond human control. In fact, the physical form of our cities is nothing but a conscious act. So why not act in an ecologically sustainable way? Any city can be what its stakeholders want it to be. It is limited only by mother nature, and by the creativity and energy of those who have a stake in that city's future.

ZaceMan said " yea i was kinda surprised about the farmers market comment for cleveland"

 

While it's true that the WestSide Market provides great prices and an incredible shopping experience, the idea of a farmer's market is to connect local growers with local purchasing power.  The WestSide Market has only one dedicated Organic Stand and most of their produce is not local except for the bounty months of summer (late july - mid sept) 

Aside from the Shaker Square Farmers Market and something similar at the Galleria, I don't believe there are any other farmer's markets in Cleve-proper, a shame considering our rich farming heritage and rich rich soil.  Luckily, City Fresh is working to change this.

http://www.gcbl.org/food/local-markets

 

C-Dawg Njaim said " I totally agree. Mass transit is probably the single most important aspect of what makes a city "sustainable." Good lord, oil has brainwashed Americans into oblivion."

 

I agree, mass transit (bus, streetcar, train, etc) is a critical element of creating a sustainable city.  But, when one looks at energy use, a larger chunk is spend on construction, namely building construction.  Therefore, "green" building may be the most important element in a city sustaining it's current population while providing the next seven generations the resources to do the samething.  It's a tough one, but when you consider basic human needs (Maslow's hierarchy), shelter/clothing is on the list while transportation is not.   Transportation is an enabler of commerce while buildings provide a place for commerce.  I might suggest that they are of near equal importance and when created in a sustainable manner; produce critically important secondary effects such as enhanced green spaces.

 

 

KJP said, "It is limited only by mother nature, and by the creativity and energy of those who have a stake in that city's future."

 

Bravo!  A fine attitude; if only those of us with the creativity and the energy also had the power and influence. What do you suppose is our best card to play?

 

 

And MGD, how was the conference?  Alas, I was out of town.

 

 

But, when one looks at energy use, a larger chunk is spent on construction, namely building construction.  Therefore, "green" building may be the most important element in a city sustaining it's current population while providing the next seven generations the resources to do the samething. 

 

I agree.  It requires a tremendous amount of energy to produce steel and concrete--the two most common building materials for non-residential structures.  Furthermore, the quality and supply of timber decrease with every McMansion constructed.  Since over half of our landfills are construction debris, the most efficient and least energy-intensive means of dealing with old buildings is to rehab and reuse.

 

Now, Cleveland isn't as bad as Certain Other Cities to the north that tear down buildings just because they can.  It is quite wasteful, however, to keep building subdivisions and strip malls for a zero-population-growth metropolis.  Especially as the supply of petroleum runs out, all the asphalt used to pave the roads is only going to get more expensive and more energy-intensive to produce.

 

 

maybe the city should tie residential (and commericial for that matter) tax abatements to meeting either leed residential requirements or other city defined green standards?

 

15 year abatement - highest level of LEED

10 year abatement - middle level

 

Colleges go 'green' to stretch budgets

Environmental efforts help schools self-sustain and conserve energy

CNN.com

 

NORTHFIELD, Minnesota (AP) -- In the shadow of Carleton College's majestic wind turbine, Daniel Pulver has cooked up an idea for creating even more renewable energy: turning used cafeteria oil into fuel for cars.

 

Across the Cannon River at St. Olaf College, Dayna Burtness grows pesticide-free food for the school cafeteria. Wasted food goes to a composter so it can be used in the campus' fields and planting beds.

 

...

 

 

Find this article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/06/09/green.colleges.ap/index.html

 

A dash of green would help Columbus’ profile

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

 

I write regarding the June 4 Dispatch article, "Columbus finishes last in survey of sustainable living." I am saddened by the focus of the officials cited in the article being solely defensive in nature, discussing only how the survey and results were flawed. We are missing another golden opportunity to address the real issues.

 

I suggest we take a positive and proactive stance in responding to the survey, and use it to actually look at specific examples of how we could create as a more sustainable community.

 

...

 

http://www.dispatch.com/editorials-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/06/13/20060613-A10-05.html

GCBL had an interview with Andrew Watterson, the Cleveland Sustainability Manager. 

 

http://www.gcbl.org/planning/city-sustainability/q-a-with-andrew-watterson

 

GreenCityBlueLake spoke with Cleveland Sustainability Programs Manager Andrew Watterson on July 14, 2006 on the occasion of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson joining more than 200 cities who've signed the U.S. Mayor's Climate Change Agreement. We discussed what this means for sustainable activities now and in the future in Cleveland.

 

Congratulations on signing the climate change agreement. Did Mayor Jackson sign mainly for environmental reasons or are there other reasons?

 

The reasons why Mayor Jackson signed is, yes, for the environment, but also for economic development. There’s a lot of technology around addressing climate change.

 

When signing agreement, we’re really approaching it from municipality itself — the focus is trying to reduce the city’s own emissions, to lead [its citizens] by example.

 

Tell me what appreciable measures you have taken or plan to take to reduce Cleveland’s greenhouse gas emission?

 

So far, we've adopted an anti-idling policy which was made official on June 1, 2006.

 

I’ve been amazed at the impact from just creating a policy — this is in effect for the city’s whole fleet of trucks. There are exceptions for vehicles that cannot operate without running the engine, but it sets up procedures if you have, for example, multiple vehicles on site — we don’t need to have every vehicle running. A lot of lights and radios cannot operate without the engine on, so we’ll start to retrofit those vehicles. Purchases will happen over time, but the focus on idling will allow us to put better equipment on the street and change the specs when we order.

 

What’s the cost-benefit analysis for buying equipment that allows you to have anti-idling as far as the fuel savings and air quality improvments? What’s the payback period?

 

It depends on the technology we use, but for the policy itself, the cost is education and getting people to turn off their engines. The payback is immediate. For the equipment, the payback is in a range of one to two years.

 

Also, we’ve been purchasing hybrid vehicles — we have 32 hybrids. Most are Ford Escapes. The Escapes replace Ford Explorers, so the fuel economy change is huge. We’re downsizing our fleet (which is 4,000 light-duty vehicles), and buying more fuel efficient vehicles.

 

How would the city like to green up its buildings?

 

We’re changing our specifications, from roof replacements to high efficiency lighting. We’re working with all divisions and departments on this.

 

For instance, City Hall’s roof replacement is an Energy Star roof. You either have heavily insulated or reflective or green roof — we will cost compare. There’s a lot of issues here — first, there’s no parapet (or wall) on City Hall’s roof, so wind loads are really extreme. It’s a big concern, we don’t want soil or gravel from a green roof blowing off. We're not considering wind turbines, but solar is a different story. We’re looking at all renewables to reduce our carbon footprint.

 

We have to first establish our baseline. But, I’m under the impression that everything from planting trees to changing composition of road materials to reclaiming land qualifies for [the climate change agreement].

 

Have you considered looking at your building codes to ‘green’ them up?

 

Well, we have to look at this new law that passed in the spring [supported] by HBA that prohibits municipalities from setting building codes higher than the state’s codes. But, in the city’s Housing Trust Fund, we put in additional funding for those developments that pursue Energy Star [$5,000 per unit up to 20 units with a $100,000 cap] and getting LEED certification silver or gold [a 20 percent bump up in funding also capped at $100,000]. The city’s Community Development Department has all of the details.

 

Are you considering renewable energy purchases for the city?

 

Purchases of renewable energy is something the sustainability program would like to put in place. We purchase a lot of power. We’re just starting the interviews for (a Water Department) energy manager. Their primary role will be conducting energy audits and managing energy assets in the Water Department, which has an $18 million energy bill. This person will be responsible for improving that.

 

With Northeast Ohio in non-attainment for air quality and the director of the OEPA telling NOACA that even drastic local measures won’t reduce emissions (that it’s a multi-state problem), can concerted local action make an impact?

 

To wake up in the morning you have to believe that. It’s probably the most comprehensive way to address our non-attainment status, and that’s one of biggest reason we signed the agreement.

 

What advice can you give to other mayors in the area considering signing the agreement?

 

I'd encourage them to sign it and make us a stronger region.

 

THE NEXT THING: MILES PER HOUSE? ULI EXPERTS DISCUSS IMPACT OF TRANSPORTATION COSTS ON LOCATION DECISIONS; LOOK AT FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING

 

For more information, contact Trisha Riggs at 202/624-7086; email: [email protected]

 

WASHINGTON (November 7, 2006)  The cost of energy likely will play a more important role in home buying decisions, with "house miles" (the number of miles a home is from employment, retail, education and entertainment) becoming a deal breaker or maker, according to land use industry experts at ULI's recent annual fall meeting in Denver.

 

Three of ULI's senior resident fellows -- William Hudnut, John McIlwain, and Robert Dunphy -- along with University of Maine Orono Petroleum Geologist Elizabeth Wilson, discussed the connection between energy use and community design. The upshot: the smart response to long-term increases in oil and gas prices, along with shrinking energy supplies, is to develop in a way that reduces energy consumption by both buildings and cars. Much-discussed designs that are now gaining traction include close-in infill projects, more downtown housing, and more mixed-use projects in urban centers and on the urban fringe, panelists said.

 

The cost of distance, along with heating and cooling, is a factor in energy consumption that has a direct impact on housing affordability, McIlwain pointed out, noting that "miles per house" could become a standard measurement of location desirability. These factors are driving interest in green and sustainable development "like never before," and this will only increase as the environmentally conscious Generation Y enters the home buying market in full force, he said. "A new generation of home buyers (Gen Y) is looking at the world differently, and to them, green building will be a given. The issue of energy savings will be a fundamental driver in their decisions on what and where to buy."

 

Dunphy cited a 2005 ULI survey of consumers, which found them willing to combine more trips and use mass transit more to cut down on fuel consumption. Transportation spending, he said, is the second largest component of consumer expenses, currently taking up an average of 19 percent of their monthly income (monthly home mortgage payments generally at least 33 percent). Dunphy suggested that cost-of-living expenses per metro be recalibrated to more accurately reflect the impact of transportation costs by housing location.

 

Hudnut cited three converging forces he predicted will thrust energy consumption into the spotlight: "How much gas prices will affect people who are already squeezed; a declining investment in oil and gas exploration and production; and the need to reduce fossil-based fuels to counteract the impact of global warming."

 

Despite growing interest in alternative fuel and power sources, reducing dependency by the U.S. and other countries on fossil fuels "will not be easy," Wilson noted. (For instance, in 2003, 39 percent of the energy used worldwide was oil, followed by gas, at 24 percent.) In the U.S., public policies that more stringently mandate fuel efficiency of cars are one solution; another is greater investment in mass transit, she said.

 

Funding for mass transit and other forms of infrastructure was discussed during another real estate education session at the meeting. With public funding for U.S. infrastructure becoming increasingly scarce (the Federal Highway Trust Fund could be empty by 2009 unless the gasoline tax is raised) states and localities are scrambling to piece together other sources of financing, including the private sector, said ULI Senior Resident Fellow Tom Murphy.

 

He listed several factors that could "contribute to solutions" to the infrastructure funding shortfall: 1) better connections between land use and transportation planning; 2) public policies that address linkages between areas within an urban region; 3) increased private financing of infrastructure; 4) greater emphasis on the relationship between infrastructure investment and quality of life; and 5) political leadership on infrastructure investment. The flooding catastrophe caused by the failed levees in New Orleans is a prime example of the danger of disinvestment in infrastructure, Murphy said, noting that in cities nationwide, there are examples of neglect. "We can be doing so much better," he said.

   

While private funding of infrastructure is relatively new in the U.S., there are lessons to be learned from some overseas operations, said ULI Treasurer Dale Ann Reiss, global and Americas director of real estate for Ernst & Young in New York City. She pointed to Innisfree, a U.K.-based fund manager, which has invested in 60 projects over the past ten years with a total capital value of more than $20 billion; and to the Australia-based Macquarie Group, which manages a number of funds that invest in infrastructure acquisitions and development projects worldwide. The evolution of infrastructure investment funds, including private equity funds, holds promise in changing the investment landscape for a wide variety of major public infrastructure projects, including roads, mass transit, utility and energy providers, water treatment facilities and airports, she said. (In a July 2006 Urban Land article on infrastructure funding, Reiss wrote that private equity funds are estimated to have more than $100 billion available for investment globally, and some are diversifying into infrastructure in their search for investment opportunities.)

 

Still, while private funds can help offset the shrinking public funds, it is the public sector's responsibility to set the course for infrastructure planning and development in the U.S., noted session panelist and ULI JC Nichols Prize Laureate Richard D. Baron, chief executive officer of McCormack Baron Salazar in St. Louis. Although many state and local governments are "doing what they can" in this capacity, urban areas "cannot endure the disinvestment by the federal government much longer," he said. "Until we start reinvesting, our cities will slip farther and farther behind the rest of the world." 

 

As part of its overall program of work, ULI has created an infrastructure initiative to bring together public and private stakeholders in various communities to help them reach consensus on solving pressing infrastructure problems and examine the best ways to use and leverage available funding.

 

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 34,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

 

                      ###

This seemed like the most appropriate place for this article from today's PD:

 

Driving home a green philosophy

Thursday, June 14, 2007

John Funk

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Solar power is joining the big leagues.

 

From Boston to Cleveland to San Francisco, solar power and other renewable energy projects are on the minds of ballpark executives looking for a way to make a difference in the big game against global warming.

 

The push is coming from Major League Baseball itself, which has been working for more than a year with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a green group that began as an environmental litigation law firm in the 1970s.

 

...

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

 

[email protected], 216-999-4138

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/images/solar0614.gif

Kudos to the tribe on this; I hope these solar panels get a lot of air-time on tv. More ballparks and stadiums going this route will only help get the message out to that segment of the population not inclined to educate themselves on alternative energy. "If the (fill-in-your-favorite-team-here) are doing this, why can't the city do it?" etc.

Keep the ball rolling.

Great for the Tribe, City and mother earth!  I'll leave this to the experts, but isn't this location in the shade for part of the day with the upper deck behind it?

I don't think so. Its southern-facing, therefore it should never be in the shade.

what i like is how fast these projects happened.  i know they wanted them finished by the solar conference, but i'm extremely impressed about how fast this happened.  they were installing the first solar panels at the GLSC this afternoon. 

 

imo, we need this sense of urgency to carry over to other projects and ideas. 

There is no other thread devoted to solar issues (that I can find).

I saw this coming up in front of the Science Center.

 

If the sports teams want to grow green, how about this for a promotion:  "ride the RTA, show your pass, and receive a free soda/hot dog/pretzel".  That would make a much larger difference than installing solar panels.

Wow!  I like it...  with this and the wind turbine, what % of the science center's energy will now be coming from renewable sources?

If the sports teams want to grow green, how about this for a promotion:  "ride the RTA, show your pass, and receive a free soda/hot dog/pretzel".  That would make a much larger difference than installing solar panels.

 

Good idea.

So, have you sent this to them (browns, cavs, monsters, etc.)?

Wow!  I like it...  with this and the wind turbine, what % of the science center's energy will now be coming from renewable sources?

 

About enough energy to power 4 standard Ohio homes - 10, if they are energy efficient.

The Science Center will have a Solar Dedication on July 11 (it would have been cool if they were able to do it today, the longest day of the year).

 

I will pass on more info as I get it.

If the sports teams want to grow green, how about this for a promotion:  "ride the RTA, show your pass, and receive a free soda/hot dog/pretzel".  That would make a much larger difference than installing solar panels.

 

Good idea.

So, have you sent this to them (browns, cavs, monsters, etc.)?

 

No.  I just thought of it now.  Does anyone know who would be a good contact?

Sustainably minded public art that is fun, educational, and functional - yipppeeee!!

 

Rehabbed building along Seattle's waterfront with public art employing a massive rainbarrel/cistern.

 

 

Suburbs gaining an environmental edge

Wednesday, November 7, 2007 3:40 AM

By Dean Narciso

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

As any penny-pincher knows, little things can add up to big savings.

 

From low-flush toilets to high-efficiency fluorescent bulbs, suburbs are learning how to scrimp.

 

While Columbus and its suburbs agreed last month on 10 broad environmental goals set out by a regional "green pact," many communities do even more.

 

Their common-sense strategies include using lights and water faucets that automatically shut off. Others are more high-tech.

 

...

 

[email protected]

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/11/07/greenburg.ART_ART_11-07-07_B1_3S8D7VS.html?sid=101

 

************************************************

 

On the green team

Local groups perfect the art of keeping waste to bare minimum

Wednesday, November 7, 2007 3:41 AM

By Alayna DeMartini

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

They tote Tupperware to restaurants, so they won't have to ask for a plastic-foam takeout box. They take cloth shopping bags to the grocery store to avoid coming home with another stash of plastic bags.

 

You don't have to be a vegan to join Sustainable Clintonville, but you should at least want a hybrid car, even if you can't afford one.

 

The group recites the gospel of Green and seeks ways to live environmentally smarter.

 

Heidi Ballard, a sociology professor at Otterbein College, started the group in May, making Clintonville's one of the newer green teams in the area. There's a Sustainable Worthington and Westerville. Upper Arlington and Dublin have similar groups.

 

...

 

[email protected]

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/11/07/Green_Living.ART_ART_11-07-07_B1_3S8D7R8.html?sid=101

Wasn't really sure to stick it but I'm sure somebody might be able to find a better place for it. Great news here.

 

German solar company plans HQ in Cleveland

Posted by John Funk November 19, 2007 14:36PM

Categories: Breaking News, Energy, Impact

Germany's oldest solar power company has committed to establishing its U.S. headquarters in Cleveland.

 

 

 

IBC Solar AG, with $700 million in sales this year in Europe, wants to begin assembling solar panels here.

 

"I have decided to make Cleveland the U.S. headquarters for IBC," Udo Mohrstedt, chairman and CEO, wrote in a Nov. 5 letter to Cleveland Foundation president Ronn Richard, who released the document this morning during a meeting with Ohio lawmakers.

 

 

Germany is the world leader in solar installations, though it has only about 70 percent of the sunlight Cleveland receives. A solar manufacturing industry in Ohio would create thousands of jobs, advocates say.

 

...

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/11/german_solar_company_plans_hq.html

Cleveland moves UP in the sustainability rankings!!!  They factored in water in this version of sustainability..

http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/

 

Note the article above in this thread about a German solar company putting an HQ in Cleveland.  Now another German Solar company has announced this week they will be moving to Cleveland. 

Not a bad showing for Cleveland.  Hopefully, we will show improvements in our innovation and green economy categories in coming years.  Not to mention Planning and Land Use, our weakest showing.  Our LEED ranking seems off, though.  I thought we had one of the highest rates of LEED buildings in the country.

^That would be a great fit for that region!

This looks like it was an interesting event...

 

But ummm...  :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

 

I know a lot of us hate to hear how Clevelanders "just don't get it". However, when one of the premiere sustainability groups consistently holds events but fails to list nearby public transportation options - but ALWAYS lists the closest parking options...  :roll:

I agree....yet note the "key sponsors" one alone should raise eyebrows and answer your question as to why no public transportation options were listed.

 

 

I've emailed Great Lakes Brewing about their lack of public transportation options on their site as well. They said they'd try to add them in the near future.

Sustainability is a priority for the Peach District Neighborhood Association. Expect to hear more on this.

 

I went to the Symposium on Sustainability on Tuesday at BW on behalf of Sen. Brown's office and really enjoyed what little bit of it saw. I missed the panel on transportation, which is what I really wanted to see. But I did catch the panel on how BW, CWRU, and Oberlin are trying to go green! I was very impressed!

Again, another event that sounds great!

 

But... ONCE AGAIN, we have a sustainability-focused event that makes NO mention of any transportation options except what?!?

 

 

Here's a wacky idea - when you use the phrase "walk the walk", start by practicing sustainability in the driveway as well as the backyard!

^ I sent them an email about that, we will see if I get a response