3E Links readers are early adopters of sustainable policies, products, and practices, and the people who educate their friends and family about the benefits of sustainable development. Be sure to pass your issue of 3E Links along to friends and colleagues. Subscribe by e-mailing info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

Events

A special thanks to Sustainable Pittsburgh member National City

SAVE THE DATE! Business Strategies in a Carbon-Constrained World

Wednesday, April 18
1 - 4 pm
Carnegie Mellon University
Chosky Theatre, Purnell Center for the Arts
Reception 4 pm
Regina Miller Gallery, Purnell Center for the Arts
No fee to attend
RSVP by April 13
412.268.5280 or mmgrelli@andrew.cmu.edu

Host: Dr. Jared Cohon, President, Carnegie Mellon University

Featuring: Pete Engardio, Senior Writer, Business Week

Panelists:
Christopher Flavin, Worldwatch Institute
M. Granger Morgan, Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University
William Rosenberg, Harvard University
Robert Bear, Alcoa
And please check back for others soon to be confirmed…

For the Pittsburgh region, which is emerging as a leader in the policy, practice, and business of sustainable development, addressing climate change presents an economic opportunity and necessity. Challenge can create opportunity. The coming of a carbon-constrained future is drawing entrepreneurs at all levels and the Pittsburgh region is well-served to be out front of the changing landscape.

Business Strategies in a Carbon Constrained World will explore sustainable business strategies and highlight initiatives that address the challenges and opportunities inherent in climate change. Representatives from Environmental Health and Safety, Marketing, Public Relations, Finance, Research and Development, Real Estate, Strategic Planning, and Investor Relations departments are encouraged to attend.

Presented by The Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research at Carnegie Mellon in partnership with Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture), Sustainable Pittsburgh, and World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.

Resources

Green$ense 2007 Regional Conference

Thursday, March 15
7 am - 5:30 pm
Westin Convention Center Hotel - 1000 Penn Ave
Downtown Pittsburgh
Conference Website

GBA's annual mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley regional conference on green building will feature keynote speaker Susan Eastridge, developer for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's riverfront project. As chief executive officer and founder of Concord Eastridge, Inc., Eastridge is one of many nationally recognized experts from the green development field who will share their secrets to financial success through green building. Afternoon tours of Pittsburgh-area green buildings will show green development in action.

Urban Farming with Youth

Tuesday, March 20
5:30 - 7 pm
Carnegie Mellon University - Rangos Hall, University Center
Pittsburgh (Oakland)
Cost: Free
Click for More Information

The Food Project has been farming with young people for over 15 years. For 10 of those years, we have farmed in Dorchester and Roxbury, two low-income neighborhoods in Boston, MA. We now farm on two and a half acres, including a rooftop site. The food we grow on our urban farms is distributed through three streams: farmers' markets, donations to hunger relief organizations, and our kitchen and culinary businesses. This workshop will focus on the Food Project's work in the City of Boston: finding and procuring usable land, distributing local, fresh food to those who have little access to it, working in a community, running successful farmers' markets and involving youth in all aspects of this work.

Pittsburgh: A More Humane Metropolis

Friday, March 23
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Omni William Penn Hotel
Pittsburgh (Downtown)
More information

This one-day course will explore new “pathways” by which Pittsburgh and other cities are becoming more “humane.” Topics to be considered will include urban stream and wetland restoration, urban gardens on vacant lots and school sites, promoting healthful outdoor activities (e.g. rail trails), brownfield reuse, environmental education, and designing people-friendly public spaces.

The workshop will involve a series of speakers and panels, and provide opportunity for informal conversation. Presenters and participants will include both local experts and invited speakers from other cities with significant experience to share. The program will balance practitioners, researchers, and citizen advocates from a variety of backgrounds and specialties. NGO staff and interested students are particularly welcome.

Land Acquisition for Community Developers

Tuesday, March 27
11:45 am – 1 pm
1901 Centre Ave., Suite 200
Pittsburgh
Cost: $7 PCRG Members, $10 Government, $15 Non-Members
Register: aaul@pcrg.org

Each year, Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group’s Vacant Property Working Group (VPWG) hosts a training session for community developers on how to utilize the Treasurer’s Sale and Land Reserve Process. The Land Reserve is a mechanism for acquiring and assembling land affordably and is available only to non- profit community organizations and Community Development Corporations. This Lunch & Learn session on Land Acquisition is not only a great training course for staff and organizations new to the process, but also an opportunity for experienced practitioners to ask questions and share best practices.

Water Task Force Announces Public Meetings

Various days March 28 - May 17
All counties in Southwestern PA
The list of public meetings is available at www.iop.pitt.edu/water

The Regional Water Management Task Force has scheduled a series of 14 meetings throughout southwestern Pennsylvania as it seeks public input on ways to improve how the region addresses its water-related problems. The Task Force will go to all 11 counties within its geographic scope, beginning on March 28 in Waynesburg, Greene County, and ending with a May 17 session in downtown Pittsburgh. The meetings will provide crucial input as the Task Force determines what planning and management arrangements can achieve broad support and solve the region’s varied and imposing challenges. Each meeting will include a presentation of the Task Force’s work thus far but will allot the bulk of its two hours for public comment and open discussion.

Nanotechnology, Environmental Ethics, and Environmental Justice

Friday March 30
4:30 pm
Adamson Wing, Baker Hall 136 A
Carnegie Mellon University (Oakland)

The Carnegie Mellon Steinbrenner Institute for the Environment will present Ronald Sandler, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Northeastern University, Boston to speak on the subject of "Nanotechnology, Environmental Ethics, and Environmental Justice" as part of the Spring 2007 Environmental Lecture Series. The University Lecture Series was developed by Dr. Indira Nair, Vice Provost of Education and EPP Faculty.

Save the Date: Farm to Table: Nourishing a Sustainable Pittsburgh

Saturday, March 31
9 am - 4 pm
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Pittsburgh (North Shore)
Contact: (412)563-8800 or ehagan@american-healthcare.net

This educational conference is aimed at helping Western Pennsylvania consumers understand the benefits of eating locally grown food. Businesses that grow, sell or prepare farm raised produce, livestock, and value added products will be featured. Organizations providing health and wellness opportunities will also be an integral part of this conference.

Global Warming 2007: It’s Time for Action

Saturday, March 31
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mercy Hospital - Sister Ferdinand Clark Auditorium
1400 Locust Street
Pittsburgh (Oakland)
Registration free but required: 1-800-321-7775 or Click here to register

Learn the latest on federal and state legislation, policies, and global warming science. Discuss what Pennsylvania can (and is) doing to slow global warming. Network with citizens across the region and state taking action on global warming. Hear experts and policymakers, including: United States Senator Bob Casey, Jr.; Angela Anderson, Director, Clear the Air; Jeanne Dworetzky, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority; Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, Climate Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists; John Hanger, President and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future; Sister M. Christopher Moore, Provincial Minister, Felician Sisters of Pennsylvania; State Representative Jake Wheatley, Jr. (District 19) and other experts in global warming and clean energy policy.

Research in Sustainable Community Development

Friday, April 13
8 am - 5 pm
Saturday, April 14
8 am - 12:30 pm
University of Pittsburgh, Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Second Avenue in the Pittsburgh Technology Center
RSVP: 412-648-7391 or amaguina@ucis.pitt.edu by March 30, 2007

International researchers and practitioners in sustainable development and green design from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Universidad de Campinas, Brazil and University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez will discuss a series of issues related to the topics of urbanization and air quality; greening the built environment; and water quality and management.

Engineering Sustainability 2007 Innovations that Span Boundaries

Saturday, April 15 - Wednesday, April 18
Sheraton Station Square Hotel
Pittsburgh
Info

Conference topical areas will include: green building design and construction; sustainable distributed power for the built environment; design of more sustainable transportation grids; housing and water solutions for megacities; water solutions for the developing world; water intensity in industry; economics of sustainability; toward the "zero operating costs" building; and the intersection of technology and policy.

Women’s Health and the Environment: New Science, New Solutions Conference

Friday, April 20
9 am - 4:30 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Pittsburgh (Downtown)
Cost: $50
Register Online

Don't miss this chance to join with our host, Teresa Heinz, and special grammy-award winning guests, The Indigo Girls, to celebrate the woman whose words and personal commitment moved the world to action in defense of our environment and our health. Make a commitment to the Rachel Carson Legacy Challenge: green steps to a sustainable future - permanent, measurable changes in behavior and policies that promote Rachel Carson’s environmental ethic - and learn about others working to meet this challenge.

2007 Nonprofit Summit

Thursday, May 10
8 am - 4:45 pm
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd.
Pittsburgh (Downtown)
Cost: $100 for the first person and $75 for each additional person from the same organization
Registration opens May 9: Click to Register

The 2007 Nonprofit Summit is a follow up to the 2006 Summit, which consisted of an electronic town hall designed to increase participants' vision of their potential for collective community action. The 2006 Summit was devoted to thinking and planning; the 2007 Summit is focused on action. The 2007 Summit is designed to: contribute to the effectiveness of individual nonprofit leaders; help to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations; and build the collective strength of the nonprofit sector.

Save the Date: 2007 Smart Growth Conference

Friday, May 18
Omni William Penn Hotel
Downtown Pittsburgh
For sponsorship opportunities, contact: info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

Among topics, the 2007 Smart Growth Conference will review and collect input on progress made on the three community challenges/solutions as voted on at the 2006 Smart Growth Conference. Visit: http://www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/2006_Conference/Overview.htm for more information on last year's conference.

Save the Date! Great Outdoors Week 2007

Friday, May 18 - Sunday, May 27

Leading the region to fun and healthy lifestyles one week at a time!

The sixth annual Great Outdoors Week begins on Friday, May 18 thru Sunday, May 27, 2007!

While Great Outdoors is a great communications campaign to highlight the amazing number of outdoor happenings scheduled throughout the week, it is also a great opportunity to sample many fun ways to start a healthier lifestyle!

2007 Great Outdoors Week partners include: Bike Pittsburgh, Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Rachael Carson Homestead, Rack ‘n Roll, REI, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Rowing Association, Venture Outdoors, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Everyone is invited to participate! To explore how to engage your constituents in taking part in Great Outdoors Week and reap year-long benefits, call (412) 258-6646 or kadams@sustainablepittsburgh.org.

Save the Date: Venture Outdoors Festival

Saturday, May 19
Pittsburgh's North Shore
http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/

The seventh annual Venture Outdoors Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2007. The festival is an all day event and is being held on Pittsburgh's North Shore - right in front of Heinz Field. As always, the goal of Venture Outdoors is to introduce as many people as possible to the wide variety of outdoor recreational activities easily accessible right here in Western Pennsylvania. Together with the region's abundant environmental assets & the rivers, the mountains, and numerous bike and walking trails - these activities demonstrate the terrific quality of life available to residents and visitors. We invite you to be a part of the excitement so please save the date!

Resources

County, city deal on buying nears OK

"There's an appetite today for these conversations that's at an all-time high," said Court Gould, director of the nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh. He cited a commission created by Onorato and Ravenstahl, which is formulating a plan for merging city and county services -- and possibly the governments.

If history holds true, Pittsburgh mayoralty winner could serve a long time

"We have one foot still firmly planted in the industrial era. Our other foot is in the global economy," said Court Gould, director of the development group Sustainable Pittsburgh. "The next mayor is going to have a say in whether we have a place in the global economy, or fall back."

Recycling deal benefits you and the environment

It isn't often that anyone outside your family or circle of friends offers to lend you a hand with spring housecleaning. But if you're willing to do your part, the Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Appliance Warehouse will help you get rid of old, broken or unwanted washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers and other items referred to as "white goods." The offer also includes air conditioners. Here's the deal: If you take those items to the Appliance Warehouse at 523 Bingham St. on the South Side, it will dispose of them for free.

Guangzhou Announces BRT Implementation, Bans Motorcycles

Guangzhou, China formally announced in late January that it will begin implementing a Bus Rapid Transit system this year and complete a citywide network in time for the Asian Games in 2010. Planned by ITDP together with the Guangzhou Municipal Technology Development Corporation, Guangzhou’s BRT system stands to rival TransMilenio of Bogotá, Colombia -- delivering average bus speeds of more than 25 kilometers per hour, and carrying more than 25,000 riders per hour in one direction at peak periods. This is more than double the passenger capacity delivered at a higher speed and under better service conditions than any other existing or planned BRT system in Asia. In contrast to TransMilenio, Guangzhou’s BRT buses will also operate outside the busway, eliminating the time and inconvenience of transfers.

Pennsylvania State Senator, CMU Professor and PPG Researcher Win 2007 Shades of Green Leadership Awards

Pennsylvania state senator Jim Ferlo, Carnegie Mellon University architecture professor Stephen Lee and PPG Industries researcher Mike Rupert have been named winners of the 2007 Shades of Green Leadership Awards.

Ten Things Wrong With Sprawl

In just the next 34 years, the Census Bureau tells us, we 300 million Americans will be joined by another 92 million. Where will all these people—mostly us and our direct descendants—live, work, play, worship, buy, sell, and serve? Where will 40 million additional households be located? What sort of built environment will we produce, and what will be the results for the nation’s and the environment’s well-being?

PNC Breaks Ground on Green Tower in Pittsburgh

Upon completion, the tower is expected to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The property includes a host of sustainable development and design features, including the use of sustainable or recycled construction materials, environmentally friendly refrigerants, reduced water consumption practices, and high efficiency HVAC systems.

Farming the Cities

Growing food and raising fish and livestock in cities is nothing new. In some ways, cities are responding to the same challenges that urban gardeners have faced for millennia. The hanging gardens in Babylon, for instance, were an example of urban agriculture, while residents of the first cities of ancient Iran, Syria, and Iraq produced vegetables in home gardens. This is partly because cities have traditionally sprung up on the best farmland: the same flat land that is good for farming is also easiest for constructing office buildings, condominiums, and factories . The masses of urban dwellers also create a perfect market for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Leave No Child Inside

...Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience their neighborhoods and the natural world has changed radically. Even as children and teenagers become more aware of global threats to the environment, their physical contact, their intimacy with nature, is fading. As one suburban fifth grader put it to me, in what has become the signature epigram of the children-and-nature movement: "I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are."

New Penn Future Podcast: Media, PA: First Fair Trade Town, USA

Pennsylvania is home to the first fair trade town in the United States: Welcome to Media, Pennsylvania in this podcast. A Philadelphia suburb, this forward-thinking community worked together to take all the necessary steps to be recognized as a Fair Trade town: they have a certain number of businesses that are committed to selling fair trade products, another set committed to using those products, a committee of citizens in place to stay up to speed on fair trade issues, they've instituted public relations around their status, and the local electorate has passed resolutions supporting the effort. And as if that wasn't inspiration enough, Media is also wholly committed to using renewable energy; many businesses (and residents) purchase green energy, and there are programs in place to use solar energy on all of the municipal facilities (and then some!)

What's the survival formula for our second tier cities?

Smart states and cities, in today’s knowledge economy, focus on great urban universities, high finance and high-tech firms that rely heavily on drawing young professionals. But what happens to America’s second-tier cities?

Young Preservationists Association seeks "Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities

YPA's fourth-annual version of the Top Ten Best Preservation Opportunities in the Pittsburgh Region was unveiled at this year's Historic Preservation Month Celebration on May 22, 2006. Entitled "Prescription Preservation: The Cure for Ailing Communities," the event highlighted the role of historic preservation in creating healthy communities.

Blueprint for the Future

Next week, 10 West Virginia counties and cities will become part of a federal program designed to help them plan for sustainable economic development...Blueprint Community training provides a process that will guide teams as they develop their comprehensive plans. Such a strategy should be holistic and account for physical, economic and social needs, according to Cotiaux. They should address all aspects of development, including housing, infrastructure, economic stimulation and safe surroundings.

Information on Proposed Fare and Service Changes

Port Authority has already begun a comprehensive and thorough evaluation of public input and will be modifying its proposal to meet the needs expressed by customers while achieving necessary efficiencies and cost-savings in light of a projected $80 million deficit in the coming fiscal year. The Port Authority Board of Directors will vote on Friday, March 23, 2007, to implement a fare and service plan, and service changes will take effect in late June 2007. Any changes to the fare structure will be implemented in January 2008.

Officials propose bringing public sewers to most of the township

Approval of a plan for providing sewers throughout the township would speed plans for installation of lines, officials said. The western third of the township lies in the Big Sewickley Creek watershed, and expansion of sewer service into that mostly undeveloped area was seen as being five to 10 years away. With a townshipwide plan, trunk lines could be installed within two years, Mr. McFadden said.

U.S. Mayors on Sustainability

FHLBank Pittsburgh Affordable Housing allocation set for 2007

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) has allocated $24.2 million for affordable housing in 2007. This $24.2 million set aside includes $17.15 million for the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), $7.64 million for the First Front Door lower-income homeownership grants program and $1 million for a pilot housing rehabilitation grants program. FHLBank’s 2007A AHP funding round is now open and applications from project developers are being taken until March 29. The 2007B funding round will open in August and close on September 27.

Bank of America Banks $20 Billion to Grow Green Economy

Under an ambitious new initiative announced by Bank of America, the financial institution will direct $20 billion to help its corporate, individual and small-business customers take advantage of the business opportunities created by green economic growth.

S&P launches renewables, water indexes

Standard & Poor's (S&P) has launched a new index series to cover the clean energy, water and infrastructure sectors. "Clean energy, water and infrastructure have evolved as major investing themes," said David Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the index committee at S&P, a US-based financial services agency.

For information on becoming a Member of Sustainable Pittsburgh, please visit our website.

3E Links is sent as a service to Sustainable Pittsburgh Members and interested parties and is being distributed for informational purposes. The information above was provided by or obtained from the organizing institution or one of its representatives. Our distribution does not imply endorsement. To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Click here to access the 3E Links Archive. Use "Search" on SP's homepage for a great resource.

Sustainable Pittsburgh affects decision-making in the Pittsburgh Region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2007 from:

Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Heinz Endowments
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
University of Pittsburgh


Special thanks to the SP Members

Sustainable Pittsburgh
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1335
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6642
fax (412) 258-6645
E-mail SP