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Events

Cranberry Goes Green

A new and detailed 200-page assessment of the Cranberry Township government’s green practices, prepared by Sustainable Pittsburgh in close cooperation with Township personnel, has outlined an ambitious series of steps that local officials plan on taking to bolster the community’s current assortment of conservation initiatives. The report, which was prepared by an independent ten-member team representing a variety of technical specialties, was commissioned following the formal adoption of five broad sustainability principles by Cranberry’s governing Board of Supervisors in April. The study project’s charge was to provide specific recommendations, including expected costs and benefits, that could either save money, make money, or increase efficiencies, while enabling the Township to become a better environmental steward.

The team was specifically directed to focus on actions that the Township could take now and continue into the future which would “create a culture of innovation, conserve resources, achieve cost savings, maximize human creativity, and infuse sustainability in municipal policies, programs, and management,” according to the report’s introduction.

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Resources

Public meetings on state water plan

Ohio Committee
Monday, September 8
Seven Fields Borough Community Center, Seven Fields
• 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Regional Committee regular business meeting
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Open House
• 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Public Meeting (DEP presentation and informal discussion period)
• 7:30 pm, Public Hearing begins
More information

The meetings and hearings are an opportunity for citizens to provide input on drafts of the updated State Water Plan. The plan presents water use data, water resources conservation and protection recommendations and facts and data portraying various water resource perspectives.

Summit for leaders working to save families from foreclosure

Monday, September 8
11:00 am – Noon
31st Floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, Downtown
For more information, visit http://www.phfa.org/hsgresources/fmf.aspx or call Charlotte Nelson at 717-780-3912.

tatistics indicate a strong likelihood that families right in your congregation, workplace, group or community are in danger of losing their homes through foreclosure. You don’t know who they are, and research shows they are unlikely to speak up or seek relief. As a leader, you are in a unique position to make the pitch that will help, but how? You're invited to a Relief Pitchers summit to learn more about specific ways you can help prevent foreclosures for homeowners right in your own backyard. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank), the Relief Pitchers summit offers expertise and advice on foreclosure issues and prevention.

Voter Education Training

September 8, 2008 and October 8, 2008
Choice of two sessions, beginning either at 8:00 am or 10:00 am.
Free
Lower level Homestead Grays Conference Room, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Building, One Smithfield Street, Downtown
Registration Deadline: August 29.
Email registration form to Pam Williams at pwilliams@ulpgh.org or fax to 412-227-4870.
Call Pam at 412-227-4160 for more information.
Registration form

The Greater Pittsburgh/Mon Valley Unity ’08 Coalition, B-PEP (Black Political Empowerment Project), PA Voice, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, NAACP Pittsburgh Branch, the Greater Pittsburgh Non Profit Partnership, Everybody VOTES and others are joining efforts to increase voter participation in the upcoming elections. Come to the training and get equipped to register your constituents to vote and, thereby, help to increase our region’s civic participation. Each will feature prominent speakers and experts in the area of voter registration and voter rights protection.

Speakers will include: Khari Mosely, National Political Field Director, League of Young Voters Education Fund; George Pillsbury, Policy and Development Director, Non Profit Voter Engagement Network (Boston Office); and Celeste Taylor, Vice-Chair, B-PEP (Black Political Empowerment Project), and Director, Election Administration and Protection, PA Voice.

Green Technology Network: Why Green Is Good

Wednesday, September 17
7:30 am - Noon
Free
More information

With today’s market realities –- rising energy costs; shrinking power and space capacity; increased regulatory scrutiny and higher customer expectations -- going green is not only socially responsible, it’s an economic imperative. This event will address how to get started, green benefits being achieved today and thoughtful approach to building a green strategy for your entire organization. The event features keynote speaker, Charles Lockwood, green real estate authority and author of the article “Building the Green Way”, published in the June 2006 Harvard Business Review and reprinted in 2008 as the first chapter of its book "Harvard Business Review on Green Business Strategy." Presented in partnership with IBM and the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Software Training

September 18-19
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
The O’Neill Room, 23rd floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, Downtown
Fee: Participants invoiced $150/person upon completion of training. Lunch, refreshments, and materials included.
To register contact: Ms. Dee Pamplin, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission at (412) 391-5590, x 301 or dpamplin@spcregion.org.
Questions about the GIS Training or about SPC’s GIS data? Contact Kirk Brethauer at (412) 391-5590, x 347 or kbrethauer@spcregion.org. Special needs requests should contact Kirk in advance.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is again partnering with the Penn State Land Analysis Laboratory to offer one, 2-day GIS software training session, focusing on Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) ArcView / ArcGIS 9.x software and available regional data resources to address the needs of SPC member counties, local governments and associated agencies. The course is open to staff from local governments. The Introduction to ArcGIS course is for those new to GIS, and registrants should know how to use the Windows Operating System. Please review the course description for more information and a preliminary agenda. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 20.

Bridging Our Past — Connecting Our Future, The National Land Conservation Conference

September 18–21, 2008
Pittsburgh, PA
Details

The Alliance chose Pittsburgh for Rally 2008 because the city has made great strides in poising itself as a green city. Greater Pittsburgh has undergone a dramatic environmental and economic renaissance. It is one of the top three cities in the U.S. for certified green building square footage. The city has evolved by expanding their urban trail system, cleaning up brownfields and planting countless trees. Pittsburgh has pledged to reduce their global warming emissions and has been ranked among the cleanest cities in the world.

Rally offers you four action-packed days of learning and inspiration with “how-to” seminars and workshops, thought-provoking plenary speeches and fun networking—all with the top conservation practitioners in the country! You will also learn how to tap into the Alliance’s many new resources, online trainings, policy campaigns and diversity initiatives. There is no greater central source than Rally for a comprehensive program of modern conservation education and training.

Putting Intergovernmental Cooperation to Work: Employing Multi-municipal Planning to Link Communities and Conserve Costs

Friday, September 19
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Sheraton Station Square
Free, but pre-registration is required.
More information

Development patterns of the last 20 years have resulted in the spreading of residential, commercial, and office development over a wide auto-dependant area. A significant consequence of this trend is to largely separate where people live and where people work. In an era of rising fuel costs, this produces a dilemma for both employers and employees.

Local governments have a key role in responding to this situation. By moving from existing systems of intergovernmental cooperation to vital systems of intergovernmental coordination, local governments can help citizens save money, improve the quality of life and shore up their municipal budgets.

Sponsored by Comcast, and in partnership with the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, the 2008 Road to Excellence Conference will focus on access to employment, multi-municipal planning, developments of regional impact and tools currently available that expand intermunicipal coordination.

"Hard to Recycle” Collection

Saturday, September 20
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
North Park Pool Parking Lot
Fee: Varies
Contact: Sarah Alessio at 412-488-7490 ext. 236 or email at saraha@ccicenter.org.

The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) will be collecting freon and non-freon appliances, e-waste, televisions, tires without rims, ink and toner cartridges, CFLs, cell phones, mixed paper, and cardboard. All materials will be recycled and refurbished. There are fees involved for disposing of certain materials. Visit www.prc.org for details.

2008 Rachel Carson Legacy Conference

Green Chemistry: Solutions for a Healthy Economy
Saturday, September 20
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh PA
More information

The Rachel Carson Legacy Conference series is a project initiated by the Rachel Carson Homestead Association. Topics featured at this conference include:
- Environment and Health Connections - The Green Chemistry Solution
- Innovations in Products and Processes
- Design for Non-toxic Results
- Business Strategies - Risk, Investment and Insurance

Reinhabiting Campus Neighborhoods: A Statewide Symposium

Wednesday, September 24
10:00 am - 3:30 pm
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Crimson Event Center, Olive K. Folger Hall, Indiana, PA
Fee: $70 PA Chapter of APA Member; $75 PLCM or PSAB; $85 Non-Member
More information

This fall, two symposiums on the issues surrounding “campus neighborhoods” will be offered by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) in cooperation with the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities (PLCM) and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB).

The central focus of the symposium revolves around the conditions and future of campus neighborhoods in college towns. “Campus neighborhoods” are the ring of neighborhoods situated immediately adjacent to the college campus proper. These are typically neighborhoods of single family homes that have been converted to student housing. These “studentified” neighborhoods are often subject to conflict, blight, and displacement effects--effects that erode the fabric of the community and negatively impact the “bottom line” of the host municipality.

At the full-day symposium, a series of mini-lectures will introduce the issues surrounding campus neighborhood planning. Each of these mini-lectures will be followed by an interactive discussion anchored by panels from college towns across the region. In this discussion participants will square their experiences with other host communities through a series of question and answer sessions. Participants will return to their communities with a greater understanding of methods employed and lessons learned by other host communities.

Energy from Biomass and Waste

October 14–16
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown
More information

"Energy from biomass and waste" can make a significant contribution to oil-independence and climate protection with clean power, heat, and vehicle fuels. The technology opens up new earning potentials and markets (domestic & international) for the waste management & power generation industry, as well as for new market players such as the agricultural sector. At this conference, more than 100 exhibitors will showcase the latest in sustainable energy production and safe waste handling. Over 1,000 delegates are expected to attend. The low entrance fee includes admission to the expo and all conference sessions.

Sleep-In for the Homeless

Friday, October 17
City-County Building, Downtown

To increase a positive public response to tackling the issues of housing insecurity, Community Human Services Corporation (CHS) will host a Sleep-In for the Homeless on October 17, 2008. As part of the Sleep-In, CHS and its partners will present the Home is where the Heart is awards to individuals, businesses, community leaders, homeless service providers, elected officials, media, educators, foundations and churches. Applications for nominations will be accepted until October 1, 2008.

For sponsorship information for the Sleep-In for the Homeless contact Diane McMahon at 412-621-4706 or dmcmahon@chscorp.org. To learn how your organization can join the planning committee and sleep overnight to raise money and awareness to help homeless people call or email Diane or log onto www.chscorp.org and click on Sleep-In for the Homeless or Home is where the Heart is.

Resources

Environmental Investment Can Pay Dividends says Mark Tercek

There are “huge opportunities for companies and other private sector players in the environmental area,” said Mark Tercek, an investment banker who spent the past 24 years at global giant Goldman Sachs. “We’re off to the races there.”. . .Tercek outlined Goldman Sachs’ efforts to encourage its business partners to adopt sustainable practices.

Design for Social Impact

With a new focus area on innovation, The Rockefeller Foundation is exploring new avenues for social change. One promising area is design and how the design industry can play a larger role in the social sector. This How-to Guide and the accompanying Workbook are written for design firms that are interested in joining in the conversation...Social impact applies to a broad spectrum of contexts. To designers, it is about the impact of products or services on individuals and groups of people. We look at the broader impact of all of the design work we undertake. We think about balancing the needs of the individual with the needs of the overall community. On every design project, we can consider the triple bottom line and take into account social, environmental, and economic impacts.

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Keep Pittsburgh Moving

A message from Ken Zapinski, Senior Vice President for Transportation & Infrastructure at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development:

As you may know, the Port Authority of Allegheny County and the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 are trying to reach a new contract. The two sides are in a state-required fact-finding stage that will end no later than Sept. 13 and possibly earlier. After that date, if there is no contract, the union may choose to go on strike and shutdown the Port Authority. Or, the Port Authority may be forced to shut down or make severe cuts because of a lack of money.

With this in mind, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development is working with businesses and others across the region to help them make sure that life does not grind to a halt if there is a transit disruption. . .The Allegheny Conference and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership have produced a web site, www.KeepPittsburghMoving.com, with tools and resources to help employers get their workers to the job. . .You may find the information there useful, and it may help you think about how your clients might deal with a transit disruption. If you have any questions about the contingency planning efforts, please contact info@keeppittsburghmoving.com.

Turnpike offers big incentive to finish Mon-Fay

While this isn't the first time the commission and project supporters have proposed privatization as a way to complete the toll road expansion program in southwestern Pennsylvania, officials said dangling a $1.9 billion carrot covering 57 miles of limited-access highway may prove too tempting for the private sector to ignore.

Creative Reuse Pittsburgh

Less than one year ago Co-Founders Rachel Dennis and Faye Miller were living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, dreaming of the move to Pittsburgh to create a new nonprofit organization that would keep perfectly good stuff out of the landfill, provide opportunities for people to put it to good (re)use, help forward the movement toward a greener globe, and encourage folks to explore their creative sides! In just under a year [Creative Reuse Pittsburgh] received a Sprout Fund Seed Award, partnered up with Pennsylvania Resources Council (fiscal sponsor), collected materials from over 80 area businesses, and held five public events, thanks to the help and support of people who have been so generous with their time, energy, ideas, and skills.

Bloomberg proposes windmills for New York City

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a renewable energy program for New York City that would include placing windmills on city bridges, solar panels on skyscrapers, and the use of tidal, geothermal and nuclear energy. . . "Just five years ago last week -- on August 14th, 2003 -- this country got an object lesson in how big a gamble we're taking with our future if we don't change course," said Bloomberg, referring to the giant blackout that cut off power for 50 million people across the northeastern United States and Canada.

Green Manufacturing Can Help 'Move Business Forward'

"When asked how they view green manufacturing initiatives, 84 percent told us that they see them as part of an overall optimization strategy," said Katharine O'Reilly, EFT's senior vice president of environmental research. "This marks a major sea change, and implies that environmental programs are becoming part of the standard arsenal of strategies employed to boost innovation and optimize operations."

City of Pittsburgh new Bike/Ped Coordinator

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl along with other officials announced their commitment to turn Pittsburgh into a “bike-friendly” and “world-class” city. Coffee shop owner Amy Enrico started the conference by talking about how bike-friendly communities can be a boon to small businesses as well as improving the quality of life of city residents.

Port Authority ridership increases in July

"We think with gas close to or over $4 a gallon, some people reached a tipping point," Whipkey said. "A lot of people decided to give public transit a try. Now, the challenge for us is to keep these people that are trying out public transit for the first time, and show them that it's convenient and can save them money."

Legislature takes aim at urban sprawl and global warming

The legislation, SB 375, would offer incentives to steer public funds away from sprawled development. The state spends about $20 billion a year on transportation, and under the new law, projects that meet climate goals would get priority. . .But momentum for the legislation has grown as the state seeks to implement its landmark 2006 global warming law, which would slash California's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, a 30% cut from expected emissions. To accomplish that, state officials say, fuel-efficient cars and factories won't be enough. Subdivisions, commercial centers and highways must be planned so that Californians can live and work closer together, reducing the amount they drive. . .A compromise 17,000-word bill was hammered out this month and endorsed by builders, environmentalists and local officials. It requires the state's 17 metropolitan planning organizations and its regional transportation plans to meet concrete targets to reduce global-warming emissions.

The journey to safe chemicals

Restoration of our consumer protection landscape will happen when Congress establishes the supremacy of science over vested interests in product safety decision-making. Allow demoralized agency scientists to do their jobs again and a new idealistic generation will join their ranks. Let's insist that we have legally binding tests for and effective means of regulating developmentally impairing chemicals. Congress should go further and do more to help parents in their search for safe products. They have a right to know what is in the merchandise they buy. Why should "fragrance" on a shampoo bottle be able to provide cover for a phthalate or any other questionable additive? Let's expand the laws requiring disclosure of chemical ingredients across the board.

Bill Gates - Creative Capitalism

As I see it, there are two great forces of human nature: self-interest, and caring for others. Capitalism harnesses self-interest in helpful and sustainable ways, but only on behalf of those who can pay. Philanthropy and government aid channel our caring for those who can't pay, but the resources run out before they meet the need. But to provide rapid improvement for the poor we need a system that draws in innovators and businesses in a far better way than we do today. Such a system would have a twin mission: making profits and also improving lives for those who don't fully benefit from market forces. To make the system sustainable, we need to use profit incentives whenever we can.

The demographic inversion of the American city

In the past three decades, Chicago has undergone changes that are routinely described as gentrification, but are in fact more complicated and more profound than the process that term suggests. A better description would be "demographic inversion." Chicago is gradually coming to resemble a traditional European city--Vienna or Paris in the nineteenth century, or, for that matter, Paris today. The poor and the newcomers are living on the outskirts. The people who live near the center--some of them black or Hispanic but most of them white--are those who can afford to do so.

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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 2008 from:

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Giant Eagle Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Roy A. Hunt Foundation
Richard King Mellon 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