3E Links readers are early adopters of sustainable policies, products, and practices, and agents of change who educate friends and colleagues about the triple bottom line. Please share your issue of 3E Links with others and encourage them to subscribe by e-mailing info@sustainablepittsburgh.org.

Events

Sustainable Pittsburgh and partners target Blight & Abandonment and Waste Management & Recycling in new programming for municipalities

The 120 municipalities around our region that completed the Sustainable Community Essentials Rapid Assessment provided a wealth of information in terms of the policy and practice of sustainability here in the region. Responding to those insights, Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Local Government Academy have embarked on an ambitious training agenda to help municipalities hasten the pace sustainability on targeted topics based on evidenced need and opportunity.

The local philanthropic community recognizes the regional economic high stakes and key role of local government in advancing sustainable community development. The Buhl Foundation is supporting development of a municipal programming series to address Blight & Abandonment. Similarly, The Alcoa Foundation has provided grant support for a series on Waste Management & Recycling.

Additional generous funders and partner organizations are lending their support and expertise to enable a range of training programs intended to build on existing municipal best practices and precedent. A key benefit of the Rapid Assessment was to show that sustainability, as reported across 91 actions, is alive and thriving around our region. For 2012, our plan is to evolve this initiative into a formal Sustainable Community Certification.

Events Continued

Resources

Green Workplace Challenge Workshop #1: Setting Up and Using Portfolio Manager

Friday, October 28
Two scheduled sessions (choose 1):
Session 1: 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Session 2: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: Point Park University’s Academic Hall, Downtown Pittsburgh
Cost: FREE for Green Workplace Challenge participants; $25 all other businesses and organizations

Sustainable Pittsburgh is excited to announce the first of 12 in its year-long series of Green Workplace Challenge participant workshops. Join Sustainable Pittsburgh and its Champions for Sustainability network on Friday, October 28, to learn how to start tracking the energy and water usage of your organization’s facilities with the EPA’s free and secure Portfolio Manager software.

Using Portfolio Manager allows you to track energy and water usage, compare your facility’s energy performance to similar facilities nationwide, and see the impact of your green initiatives on your bottom line!

By creating a Portfolio Manager account, establishing usage baselines for your competing facilities, entering data over the course of the competition, and sharing your facility information with the Green Workplace Challenge, your organization is eligible to earn at least 8, and as many as 23 points in the competition. Many more additional competition points can be earned by achieving reductions in electric, natural gas, and water usage.

This October 28th event provides an opportunity for businesses to create their accounts, to learn how to use the software and to get a jump on entering their past utility bills (electric, natural gas, water). EPA representatives will give an introduction to the use of Portfolio Manager via a webinar, and on-site, secure computers will be available.

Green Workplace Challenge participants register here.

All other businesses and organizations register here.

If you are interested in becoming a GWC participant, sign up by Oct. 31 to attend the workshop for free.

DATE CHANGE! Sustainable Product and Service Procurement for Healthcare - December 1

Thursday, December 1
Details forthcoming

The November 3 Workshop, "Sustainable Product and Service Procurement" will be combined with the December 1 workshop, "Information Management for Sustainability and Healthcare."

Learn about the latest strategies for engaging supply chains in the healthcare industry from the perspective of sustainability. Find out how the industry is navigating the use of different information technology strategies to increase access and patient-centered care while maintaining patient confidentiality.

Sustainable Pittsburgh’s sustainable business network, Champions for Sustainability (C4S) has launched a series of workshops that advance the mutually reinforcing agendas of sustainability and healthcare. Each event spotlights how sustainability improves health outcomes, healthcare benefits, business performance and provides best practices, resources, examples, and how to get started. Sustainable Product and Service Procurement for Healthcare is the fourth workshop of this five-part series.

Click here to learn more about the series and to view materials from past programs.

REGISTER NOW! 11th Annual SWPA Smart Growth Conference “Smart Growth is Smart Business”

Keynote:
- Henry Cisneros, Executive Chairman, CityView "Smart capital for Smart growth"

Tuesday, December 13
8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Registration begins at 7:30 am)
David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown Pittsburgh
Lunch provided.
Early registration: $35; After 11/21: $45
More information and registration

Presented by: Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Green Building Alliance; NAIOP Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Technology Council; Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission; Sustainable Pittsburgh; ULI Pittsburgh

Business leaders increasingly recognize regional growth and development patterns -- guided by principles of smart growth and sustainability -- improve quality of life, lessen the cost of doing business, increase profitability, help reduce tax and infrastructure costs, and contribute to talent recruitment and retention. With the business case of smart growth apparent, the conference will galvanize a 'businesses for smart growth' initiative for southwestern Pennsylvania to spur economic prosperity and extend our region's signature livability to more persons.

The conference will focus on three interrelated smart growth imperatives:
"Business opportunity while building community and regional economy"
- Innovative Finance for smart growth solutions for urban real estate, housing, and metropolitan infrastructure
- Blight and Abandonment - business and economic stakes
- Green Infrastructure - savings for businesses, dividends for developers and communities

Be sure to visit the conference website for more information, including a speakers' list.

Creating Sustainable Communities Conference

Thursday, November 3
7:30 am — 4:00 pm
Point Park University
Registration: $30
Questions? Contact Hannah Hardy at (412) 481–9400 or hhardy@pecpa.org Registration information and conference schedule will be available in late August at:
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/conservationscience/sustainablelands/conferences/index.htm
This conference qualifies for 5 recertification credits for the PLNA Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist and the PLANET Landscape Industry Certified Technician, as well as 5 continuing education credits through ASLA.

Join conference organizers at Point Park University in downtown Pittsburgh for a conference that promotes green infrastructure, healthy communities and low-cost land management practices for government officials, park managers, landscape architects, planners and anyone else interested in balancing human needs with natural resource protection.

EVENT ORGANIZERS: Allegheny County, Allegheny County Conservation District, City of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, Friends of the Riverfront, Pa. Environmental Council, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Sustainable Pittsburgh, Western Pa. Conservancy

Building Change Film Festival

October 12-16, 2011
Times vary
Films will be screened at:
- CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts School)
- The Point Park University GRW Theater
- The Hampton Inn (downtown)
- Building Change Film Festival Schedule - Kelly-Strayhorn
- The Andy Warhol Museum
Cost: Suggested donation of $5 per screening.
All films are open to the general public.
More information

The Festival will screen full length, mid, and short films (25 minutes or less) and videos themed around social justice issues with a focus on the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Films cover a broad range of issues including; the environment, poverty, LGBTQ issues, racial and gender equality, prison/police reform, food justice, peace and human rights issues. Films demonstrate the power and value of filmmaking as a vehicle for exploration of social justice issues and aim to motivate viewers to seek solutions and promote change.

Upcoming films include: Pittsburgh Welcomes (2010; 30 min.), The Inconvenient Truth About Waiting for Superman (2011; 83 min.), YERT (2010; 102 min.), and Writing on the Berlin Wall: Remembering the Berlin Wall (2009; 54 min.)

The Building Change Film Festival is one of the major components of Building Change: a Convergence for Social Justice that will be held October 13-15, 2011 at the Sen. John Heinz Regional History Center. The Convergence is a grassroots, movement building conference with participatory workshops at which participants will learn about current issues and share their skills to make real impact.

Register Now! Building Change Conference

A convergence for social justice
October 13-15, 2011
Senator John Heinz Regional History Center
More information

Building Change will gather grassroots organizations and citizens from across Southwestern Pennsylvania to address a wide range of social, economic, and environmental issues through a series of forums, workshops, and panel and roundtable discussions. Other activities include the multi-venue Building Change Film Festival; the 7 Pathways of Change Social Justice Arts Show; a Youth Leadership track for 350 high school students; and the Pathways to Change: Performances and Awards which will highlight local Champions of Change.

The featured keynote speaker for Building Change is world-renowned Native American activist and environmentalist Winona LaDuke. Ms. LaDuke is a distinguished author and founder of the White Earth Land Recovery Project in Minnesota and the Indigenous Women's Network. She has appeared in numerous documentaries, has been the recipient of the Reebok Human Rights Award, and was named Woman of Year by Ms. Magazine. Ms. LaDuke was also the Green Party vice presidential running mate to Ralph Nader in the 2000 presidential election.

Wild Resource Festival

Saturday, October 15
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Point State Park, Downtown Pittsburgh
Free
No registration is necessary. The event will be held rain or shine.
More information

DCNR's Wild Resource Conservation Program is holding a Wild Resource Festival at Point State Park on October 15. The festival is designed to bring the state’s leading scientists and conservation organizations together with the people that support DCNR's work, the citizens of Pennsylvania. The festival provides children, families, and wildlife enthusiasts, young and old, with a front-row seat to view PA’s non-game animals and plants. There will be many interactive, hands on activities to engage the children as well!

Rainwater Harvesting and Rain Gardens/Bioretention

Tuesday, October 18
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Avenue, 23rd floor, A. E. Hunt Room, Downtown Pittsburgh
Cost: $95 or $50 for students, which includes lunch.
To register, contact mvf10@psu.edu or call (412) 263-1000.
This workshop is worth 3 Continuing Education Units.
View flyer

Please join The Penn State Center for another insightful workshop on rain water harvesting and rain gardens/biorention. Guest speakers will be Dr. Richard J. Schuhmann, Walter L. Robb Director of Engineering Leadership Development and Dr. Robert Berghage, Associate Professor of Horticulture; Director, Center for Green Roof Research.

Learn about:
RAINWATER HARVESTING with the benefits of distributed stormwater management - emphasizing engineering and system design.
RAIN GARDENS - site design, plants, aesthetics, pros and cons.

Apply the knowledge:
In an integrated design problem for a 10,000 sq. ft. commercial building with rainwater harvesting and reuse in the building and landscape, integrated with a rain garden/bioretention system for excess roof runoff (beyond the cistern storage - up to the selected design storm) and to handle the parking and sidewalk drainage as well. In the introduction both the assignment and information on how to approach the problem will be addressed.

cityLIVE! 38 - Looking forward to Immigration (with Rich and Raja)

October 18
6:30 pm
New Hazlett Theater, North Side
Click to RSVP

Pittsburgh is less diverse than 98 out of 100 of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States, according to the 2010 census - "whiter even than the Amish country around Lancaster, the Mormon population center of Salt Lake City, Midwest agrarian capitals such as Des Moines, Iowa, and far more isolated places like Boise, Idaho," says Gary Rotstein of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "How does a region built on immigration, albeit from previous centuries, come to have in 2011 such a small share of people of color?"

On October 18, cityLIVE! and Vibrant Pittsburgh will host a conversation between candidates D. Raja, Rich Fitzgerald and you, the audience, on the status of foreign born talent and diversity in the region. Economic development is at the heart of this discussion. For instance, 25 percent of U.S. business owners in the technology and engineering sector are foreign born, as are the owners of 24 percent of patent applications filed. Moderated by Melanie Harrington, CEO of Vibrant Pittsburgh, hear how Allegheny County's future leaders plan to tackle these issues in their future role as Allegheny County Executive.

Home Energy Workshops

Wednesday, October 18
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Whole Foods Market, Shadyside

Saturday, October 22
10:00 am - Noon
Harrison Hills Environmental Center

Tuesday, November 1
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Mt. Lebanon Library

Tuesday, November 8
7:00pm - 8:30 pm
Shaler North Hills Library

COST: $25 per person/$30 per couple (all participants/couple receive an energy savings bag)
RSVP: Sarah Alessio Shea, Pennsylvania Resources Council, at saraha@ccicenter.org; (412) 488-7490 ext. 236, or by visiting www.zerowastepgh.org.
To register online visit http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1109241-kDf4zCSjII

Tired of high gas and electric bills? Want your home to have a friendlier impact on our air and waters? Then attend one of these Home Energy workshops taking place throughout the fall in Allegheny County. This workshop focuses on energy efficiency and will teach participants how to implement practical, low-cost ways to reduce energy loss in their homes. These tips will help homeowners not only save energy but money as well.

Participants will receive an energy saving bag, which includes electricity and gas saving devices. Presented by Conservation Consultants Inc (CCI) in partnership with the PA Resources Council (PRC) and Friends of Harrison Hills.

“Building Skills in Communication, Coordination, and Engagement on Marcellus Shale Gas Issues”

Thursday, October 20
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Eden Hall Campus of Chatham University, 6035 Ridge Road, Richland Township, PA
FREE and open to the public; however, pre-registration is required.
Questions? Contact Leah Smith at leah@pasafarming.org or (412) 977-6514 with questions.
For more information about the workshop and to register online visit www.pasafarming.org/marcellusshalechoices

The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) has received a grant from the Colcom Foundation to develop action-oriented tools and trainings throughout western Pennsylvania to help farmers, rural land owners, and other citizens make informed, integrated decisions, understand legal issues, and engage in environmental monitoring and local organizing efforts related to Marcellus Shale Gas issues within their communities. This particular workshop on October 20 is the final workshop in the Marcellus Shale Choices workshop series.

“Building Skills in Communication, Coordination, and Engagement on Marcellus Shale Gas Issues," an interactive, participatory training led by staff from Penn Environment, will build your skills to effectively communicate to the media and to law makers about the issues that matter to you related to Marcellus Shale Gas drilling and development. Learn what makes a good story, and how to share your message with the media through strategies such as letters to the editor, or contacting a reporter and being a source for a news piece. Also learn how to set up and prepare for meetings with your law makers, and practice communicating your message effectively.

Allegheny County Executive Candidate Forum

Thursday, October 20
8:00 am (Networking and Light breakfast)
8:30 am - 10:00 am (Candidates Forum)
31st Floor, Regional Enterprise Tower, 425 Sixth Avenue, Downtown Pittsburgh
Free and open to the public (you will need to present a photo ID to access the 31st floor)
RSVP by October 14 to Claire at (412) 361-2099 ext. 5 or c.miziolek@gtechstrategies.org.
Limited day-of registration will be available.
More information and parking details at www.GJAB.org

The Green Jobs Advisory Board of Southwest PA presents the Allegheny County Executive Candidate Forum. Come to discuss issues such as Energy, Manufacturing, Water, Green Infrastructure, Transit, and how they relate to jobs in this region with Candidates D. Raja and Rich Fitzgerald. Moderated by Larkin Page-Jacobs, Essential Public Radio.

Eating Seasonally

Friday, October 21
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Pittsburgh Public Market
Free
Contact: Erin Hart, American HealthCare Group, at (412_ 563-7807 or ehart@american-healthcare.net
Register now

Farm to Table is offering an "Eating Local" Lunch & Learn. The program will include handouts, a cooking demonstration and lunch.

- Learn about local resources including farms, retail sites, CSAs and more. Integrate these community resources into your Wellness Program.
- Cooking Demonstration
- Complimentary event & lunch! Sponsored by Farm to Table.

Rachel Carson Forum: Creating Healthy Places to Live, Learn and Play

Saturday, October 22
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Eddy Theater, Chatham University Shadyside Campus
General Admission: $40.00; Scholarship Admission: $10.00; Student Admission: $5.00
Register now
Act 48 and PQAS credits available. (6 ceu)

Young children are the most vulnerable to environmental contaminants. One can take many steps to make their early learning environment interesting, safe and fun. One can also practice environmentally sound procedures while saving money and building better foundations for this region's children.

Participate in four workshops for providers of early childhood learning. Receive a Green Practices Workbook and continuing education credits. Keynote speakers include Phil Boise author of The Go Green Rating Scale and Jane Houlihan, Sr. Vice President for Research of The Environmental Working Group.

This event is presented by: Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University; Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children; Sense of Place Learning, and Women for a Healthy Environment. For sponsorship opportunities contact Patricia DeMarco at (412) 708-9277.

Green Drinks

Thursday, October 27
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Global Links, 6899 Hamilton Ave. (corner of Hamilton and N. Dallas), Pittsburgh 15208
Free and open to the public
More info

Join Global Links and Senator Jim Ferlo in hosting Green Drinks, Thursday, October 27. Tour the Global Links facility and learn more about their unique brand of environmental stewardship.

Hosts:

Kathleen G. Hower
Chief Executive Officer/ Co-Founder

A native Pittsburgher, Kathleen Hower is the co-founder of Global Links, a pioneering medical recovery organization dedicated to promoting better environmental stewardship and improving health in less developed countries. In 2005, Global Links was recognized by the Director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization as a leader in responsible medical recovery. Hower's vision has led Global Links' growth from a small grassroots operation to become the recognized leader in medical material recovery, with partnerships in 9 countries and material recovery efforts topping 250 tons annually. Hower has traveled widely in Latin America and the Caribbean, reviewing and developing programs for Global Links.

Angela Garcia
Deputy Director

Angela Garcia is Deputy Director of Global Links, a Pittsburgh-based medical relief and development organization dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and improving health in developing countries. Angela is currently responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization, focusing especially on educating the local healthcare community and general public to the benefits of repurposing still useful medical equipment and supplies that otherwise would end up in landfills. Angela has developed particular expertise in determining which equipment and materials can be most effectively employed in the nine countries where Global Links currently has on-going donation programs, and in assuring appropriate preparation and allocation of these materials.

Global Links is a Pittsburgh-based international medical relief and development organization with a twofold mission. We work to improve the health and lives of people in resource-poor communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, while providing hospitals in our region with a socially and environmentally beneficial alternative to sending hundreds of tons of still-useful surplus materials to landfills. Global Links' innovative model of recovery and reuse of medical surplus converts an environmental burden to a life-saving purpose, creating a "virtuous circle."

Building One Pennsylvania Public Meeting:
Advancing an Agenda for Regional Change

Thursday, October 27
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (Doors open at 12:30 for registration)
Bright Side Baptist Church, 515 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA
This event is free but you must register in advance to reserve your seat.
Register at www.BuildingOnePa.org, or by emailing name, title and organizational affiliation (if applicable), address, phone and email to mneedham@buildingonepa.org.
To defray costs of the event, donations are invited. Suggested donation: $15.

Building One Pennsylvania is a coalition of local elected, faith and civic leaders from the older, financially distressed boroughs, towns and cities in Pennsylvania who have come together to fight for state and federal policy changes that will benefit their communities. On October 27th, leaders from throughout the state will convene to present an agenda for change to state and federal legislators that will:
- Reduce Our Local Property Tax Burden
- Invest in Our Schools
- Create More Balanced Housing
- Redevelop Our Infrastructure While Providing Local Jobs

Confirmed: U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Senators Ted Erickson and Senator Lloyd Smucker

You can make a difference! Please register to attend.

Fifteenth Annual Good Government Awards Dinner: Honoring Civic Leadership in Allegheny County

Thursday, October 27
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sheraton Hotel, Station Square
Tickets: $70 from the League of Women Voters
Contact: (412) 261-4284 or info@pgh.lwv.org
View invitation and order form

Join the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh for a strolling dinner followed by the awards presentation and delicious desserts. This project is designed to honor civic engagement and the many ways in which citizens, businesses, etc., contribute toward making democracy work.

2011 Honorees Are:
Bonnie & Tom VanKirk
Hon. Dan Onorato
A+ Schools
Univ. of Pittsburgh Graduate & Professional Student Assembly

Reflections on Civic Engagement: The Case of Climate Change Policy at the City/Metropolitan Level

Friday, October 28
10:00 am
Twentieth Century Club, 4201 Bigelow Blvd, Oakland, 15260
Free and open to the public
RSVPs are requested: CMSGSPIA@pitt.edu or (412) 648-2282

The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Metropolitan Studies, presents the Changing Nature of Civic Engagement in America Fall 2011 Lecture: "Reflections on Civic Engagement: The Case of Climate Change Policy at the City/Metropolitan Level."

This lecture features Dr. Daniel A. Mazmanian, Bedrosian Chair in Governance; Director, The Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public Enterprise, University of Southern California. Dr. Mazmanian is a widely published scholar in the field of policy implementation and environmental policy.

His current research focuses on the transition to sustainable communities. Professor Mazmanian served as executive director of the “Report of the California Adaptation Advisory Panel to the State of California,” in 2009-2010, and a member of the “Task Force on Environmental Governance of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development,” in 2005-2006. He is past president of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

His recent publications include:

Mazmanian, D. and D. Press, “Toward Sustainable Production: Finding Workable Strategies for Government and Industry”; in Norman Vig & Michael Kraft, eds., Environmental Policy: New Directions for the Twenty-First Century, 7th Edition, CQ Inc.; 2010

Mazmanian, D., Y.D. Jung and S. Y. Tang, eds., "Collaborative Governance in the United States and Korea"; Seoul: Seoul National University Press; 2009

Mazmanian, D. and Michael E. Kraft, eds. and contributors, "Toward Sustainable Communities: Transitions and Transformations in Environmental Policy"; 2nd Edition, The MIT Press; 2009

Point Park University Global Cultural Studies Presents: Vandana Shiva, Ph.D.

Wednesday, November 2
6:00 pm (reception to follow)
University Center’s GRW Theatre, Point Park University
Contact: Dr. Channa Newman, (412) 392-3480.
To register for the free event and reception, visit www.pointpark.edu/ces. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Physicist, ecologist, activist, editor, author and dedicated defender of the environment, Dr. Vandana Shiva has been called one of the top seven most powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine. Point Park University’s Department of Humanities and Human Sciences and Global Cultural Studies program are welcoming the international activist for the program’s signature lecture of 2011.

Shiva will speak about her interdisciplinary research in science, technology and environmental policy and her work changing practices and paradigms of agriculture and food. She will discuss founding the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, an institute to address ecological and social issues in India, and Navdanya, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting biodiversity, defending farmers' rights and promoting organic farming. More than 70,000 farmers are members of Navdanya. The group’s efforts have resulted in conservation of more than 2000 rice varieties from all over India and creation of 34 seed banks in 13 states across the country. Through all of her work, Shiva argues that women must play pivotal roles in helping to solve the issue of food security in the developing world.

Shiva’s most recent books, Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge and Stolen Harvest: The Hijacking of the Global Food Supply consider the social, economic and ecological costs of corporate-led globalization. Her first book, Staying Alive (1988) helped redefine perceptions of Third World women.

Shiva’s many awards include the Right Livelihood Award (called the Alternative Nobel Prize) in 1993 and Sydney Peace Prize in November 2010. She consults with the government in India and for government and research institutes around the world.

Walkable and Livable Community Presentation and Conversation

Monday, November 7
6:30 pm
North Boroughs YMCA Community Center, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Church of the Epiphany - corner of California & S. Home Aves., Avalon, PA
Free Event with Complimentary Refreshments
Please RSVP to (877) 926-8300
Flyer

Join AARP PA for a dynamic and interactive meeting with one of the nation's leading authorities on walkable, livable, and safe communities.

Keynote speaker Dan Burden is an internationally recognized authority on traffic and pedestrian safety. He brings together many issues including street design, transportation, and mobility challenges into a holistic vision for healthy, prosperous communities. AARP PA is pleased to share this unique opportunity with the Bellevue and Avalon Communities.

Sustainable Business: Responsibility and Results

Beard Sustainability Symposium
Thursday, November 10
8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Fairmont Hotel, Downtown Pittsburgh
Registration fees vary
This symposium is worth five (5) Continuing Professional Education credits. When registering online, be sure to check the CPE box.
Contact: Dawn Culver, Program Manager, (412) 396-5259 or culverd@duq.edu
More info

Business has entered a new era of responsibility and accountability. In addition to producing solid financial results, business leaders are now responsible for managing their company’s environmental and social impacts, as well as addressing the expectations of stakeholders including legislators, investors, customers and employees.

By embracing these increased responsibilities, business leaders can foster their employees’ creativity and innovation – leading to resource and waste efficiencies, cost savings, new market opportunities, greater bottom-line results and a more sustainable future for the world.

Attendees will:
- Discover a “systems approach” to sustainability that boosts creativity and innovation
- Interact with business leaders who have increased bottom-line results by embracing sustainability best-practices
- Learn how to gain competitive advantage in a more sustainability-driven business environment

Resources

Cisneros, CEOs Remain Bullish on Apartment Industry

Cisneros said CityView has found success following an "eds and meds" strategy by building near medical and educational facilities in overlooked markets like Cleveland. "There are a lot of places that are overlooked," he said.

New Urbanists: No Economic Recovery Without Smart Growth

A new report from Strong Towns places blame for the lagging economy directly on policies that favor low-density housing, fossil-fuel dependence and publicly-subsidized overbuilt infrastructure. In its new booklet Curbside Chat, Strong Towns asserts that since the 1970s, the suburban growth that powered America’s economy operated much like a Ponzi scheme. In towns across the country, politicians traded the short-term payoffs of sprawling development — namely increased taxes — for long-term maintenance obligations that are just now coming due. And they’re coming up short.

Curbside Chat; A candid talk about the future of America's cities, towns and neighborhoods

The report calls for a dramatic change in America’s approach to growth and development in response to current economic conditions. . . If every elected and appointed official in our country read this booklet, our national dialogue would change overnight. Forward it to your public officials as well as your neighbors.

More

Company is First in Japan to Provide Water Footprint Assessment Service

Recycle One Inc., a Japanese consulting company, launched a water footprint evaluation service and "water recovery" service on May 24, 2011, becoming the first company in Japan to provide these services. A water footprint is an indicator of the environmental impact caused by water usage throughout a product's lifecycle or during the operation of factories or companies. Amid concerns over acute water shortages due to the growing world population, interest in water footprint has been on the rise, which has led the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to discuss the international standardization of water footprint.

2012 Sustainability in Public Works Conference - Call for Presentations Deadline Almost Here!

The 2012 American Public Works Association Sustainability in Public Works Conference is coming to Pittsburgh June 25-27, 2012. The deadline is approaching fast for the Call for Presentations. All submissions must be received by 12 Noon CST, Monday, October 17, 2011.

This is the final deadline, and no further extensions will be offered. If you have any questions, please contact Karen Wilson at kwilson@apwa.net or (816) 595-5210.

New Greenhouse Gas Standards Unveiled for Corporate Value Chain and Products

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol launched two new standards today that will empower businesses to better measure, manage, and report their greenhouse gas emissions. Developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) and Product Life Cycle Standards will enable companies to save money, reduce risks, and gain competitive advantages.

Corbett cosigns letter asking Obama to nix rule to reduce toxics

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett is one of 11 Republican governors who has signed a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to withdraw a proposed rule that would reduce toxic air pollutant emissions from coal-burning power plants. In their Friday letter, the governors claim long-delayed rules limiting emissions of mercury and other air toxics -- originally mandated in the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 -- will cost $11 billion annually, risk millions of jobs, hurt electric power reliability and result in only marginal air quality and health improvements.

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 ($1,000 and up) in 2011 from:

Allegheny County - Dan Onorato, County Executive
Bayer Corporation
Bayer USA Foundation
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
BNY Mellon
Dollar Bank
FedEx Ground
The Heinz Endowments
Highmark
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
Richard King Mellon Foundation
Pashek Associates LTD
Pittsburgh Quarterly
PNC Financial Services Group
Port Authority of Allegheny County
UPMC


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