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Events

Resources

SAVE THE DATE

Champions for Sustainability

a network for sustainable business and community solutions

Inaugural event!

"The Practice of Sustainability: Translating Vision into Action"
Thursday, December 6
8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Conferencing Center
For more information or to register, click here

Because of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s emergence as a world wide hotspot for advancements and innovations in sustainability policy and practice, Sustainable Pittsburgh has launched Champions for Sustainability (C4S). C4S brings together a new network of entrepreneurs, companies large and small from many different industries, community leaders, university researchers, educators, and other social ventures.

The Practice of Sustainability: Translating Vision into Action is an intense, triple bottom line-focused, half-day event to help business and community leaders determine ways to accelerate sustainable solutions. This event is the first in a series of “how to” networking opportunities presented by C4S.

Event Overview
- Featured Keynote by Albin Kälin, Chief Executive Officer for Management, EPEA, Hamburg, Germany: “Cradle to Cradle Design and Business Structures”
- Panelists from Western Pennsylvania’s Business Community will share their experiences of how they are translating ideas about sustainability into action.

Visit the newly launched C4S website, to learn more about the network.

To hear this week's WYEP Allegheny Front interview about Champions for Sustainability click here.

Resources Continued

“Hard to Recycle” Collection Event

Saturday, November 17
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Mall at Robinson, Sears Parking Lot
(100 Robinson Centre Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 - Exit 1 off Rt. 60 @ Rt. 22/30 - 412-788-0816 – shoprobinsonmall.com
For event information, call the Pennsylvania Resources Council at 412-488-7490 ext. 236

In conjunction with America Recycles Day, the Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Mall at Robinson, in partnership with Appliance Warehouse, Reclamere, and Abitibi Consolidated, invite the public to drop off appliances, electronics, cell phones, ink cartridges, paper products and cardboard to be recycled. Following is a list of items that will be accepted. Please note that there is a nominal fee to drop off electronics:
MAJOR APPLIANCES (freon and non-freon appliances including refrigerators, air conditioners, washers, dryers, etc.) - NO CHARGE
CARDBOARD AND PAPER PRODUCTS (white paper, mixed paper, magazines, catalogs, newspaper, and junk mail) - NO CHARGE
CELL PHONES (including battery and charger) - NO CHARGE
INK AND TONER CARTRIDGES (any brand) - NO CHARGE
ELECTRONICS (computer monitors, computers, laptops, VCRs, CD players, stereos, copiers and fax machines, printers, keyboards and mice) - $5.00 EACH

2007 – 2008 Newly Elected Officials Course

November 2007 – March 2008
Opening Day Session – Saturday, November 17
Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh
For registration options and more information call 412-237-3171
or visit www.localgovernmentacademy.org

The Newly Elected Officials Course helps successful candidates transition into their governing role. First time elected officials and incumbents develop knowledge and skills to address policy matters and meet their legal and fiscal responsibilities. The Course covers: municipal powers and duties, municipal finance, public sector personnel, public safety, infrastructure, community development, media and communications, ethics and leadership. Multiple registration options are available to fit a variety of schedules with sessions in Allegheny, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland Counties.

"Creating Community in the 21st Century - Intro to Cohousing"

Sunday, November 18
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Squirrel Hill Library, corner of Forbes and Murray Ave. Free parking under the library
Register: TPCHG@aol.com or 412-963-1971
Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Cohousing Group

A free introduction to Cohousing in Pittsburgh. Learn about creating, building and living in Pittsburgh's first Cohousing Community.

Hot Metal Bridge Pedestrian Path Grand Opening

Wednesday, November 28
12:00 pm
Meet at Hot Metal Bridge, 2nd Avenue side

Guests are encouraged to participate in the ceremonial ribbon cutting by walking/biking across the bridge with Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. Directly after the walk, guests are invited to join the Mayor and stakeholders in a recognition ceremony, complete with hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies in the lobby of REI.

The completion of the Hot Metal Bridge is a critical connection in the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150 mile biking and hiking trail that will eventually connect Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland and Wasthington D.C. The bridge also provides a key pedestrian and cycling connection between the URA's two brownfield developments, South Side Works and Pittsburgh Technology Center. The pedestrian bridge facilitates safe and sustainable routes to work, along with offering attractive site recreational amenities, critical to SSW tenants such as American Eagle Outfitters and REI.

YWCA Great Pittsburgh 2007 Racial Justice Awards

Friday, November 30
6:00 pm
Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place (Downtown Pittsburgh)
Fee: $75 (Dinner Included)
For more information call 412-255-1257 or email specialevents@ywcapgh.org.

Join the YWCA for the 16th Annual YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Racial Justice Awards, for a night of admiration and recognition. The Racial Justice Awards recognizes individuals and organizations that are making a difference in promoting racial justice and equality throughout the community. Awardees include: Ronell Guy, Community Empowerment; Valerie Dixon, Community Service and Public Safety; Reed Smith, LLP, Legal; Larry E. Davis, Ph.D., Education; Doris Carson Williams, Company and Business; Councilwoman Brenda L.Frazier, Government; and Pennsylvania Commission for Women, Government.

"The Practice of Sustainability: Translating Vision into Action"

Thursday, December 6
8:30 am – 2:00 pm
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Conferencing Center
For more information or to register, click here.

The Practice of Sustainability: Translating Vision into Action is an intense, triple bottom line-focused, half-day event to help business and community leaders determine ways to accelerate sustainable solutions. This event is the first in a series of “how to” networking opportunities presented by Champions for Sustainability, a network for sustainable business and community solutions. Champions for Sustainability is a program of Sustainable Pittsburgh.

Event Overview
- Featured Keynote by Albin Kälin, Chief Executive Officer for Management, EPEA, Hamburg, Germany: “Cradle to Cradle Design and Business Structures”
- Panelists from Western Pennsylvania’s Business Community will share their experiences of how they are translating ideas about sustainability into action.
www.C4Spittsburgh.org

Youth Main Street Advisors Project

Monday, December 10
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Filmmakers' Melwood Screening Room, 477 Melwood Ave, Oakland
Free to attend; refreshments will be provided
RSVP to Dan Holland at 412-363-5964 or email holland6@aol.com
Directions

Please join the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh (YPA) for a special presentation of the Youth Main Street Advisors Project. The evening will include video presentations created by high school students which document their vision for revitalizing older communitieis in southwestern PA. The Youth Main Street Advisors Project is a project of YPA and supported by a grant from The Heinz Endowments. Special guest speakers include filmmaker Tony Buba and Bill Fontana, executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.

Resources

Middle-Class Dream Eludes African American Families

Nearly half of African Americans born to middle-income parents in the late 1960s plunged into poverty or near-poverty as adults, according to a new study -- a perplexing finding that analysts say highlights the fragile nature of middle-class life for many African Americans.

More corporations "going green" to attract young talent

More corporations are going 'green' and discovering that helping the environment...can also help companies attract young talent, increase productivity and reduce costs." According to a recent study conducted by "MonsterTRAK.com, a job Web site geared toward students and entry-level hires," nearly "80% of young professionals are interested in securing a job that has a positive impact on the environment." And, 92% of those polled "would be more inclined to work for a company that is environmentally friendly."

More

Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

In the wake of 9/11, some of us pleaded for a “patriot tax” on gasoline of $1 or more a gallon to diminish the transfers of wealth we were making to the very countries who were indirectly financing the ideologies of intolerance that were killing Americans and in order to spur innovation in energy efficiency by U.S. manufacturers.

Transit-oriented housing development set for Green Tree

Experts say the concept allows residents of a community to abandon their cars and use public transportation or walk to get to work or shop. The idea has inspired Lynn DeLorenzo's plan for [a] housing project on a 26-acre site behind the Parkway Center office complex off McKinney Lane in Green Tree and Pittsburgh.

Gas Tax may be Labeled 'Fee'

Recent polls conducted by MTC staff have shown that more than half of area residents do support the 10-cents-a-gallon idea if it would help fight global warming and better maintain local roads and freeways..."I don't want to be party to adding to the burden of working families in the Bay Area who are already in an economically tight situation," DeSaulnier said, adding that he favored other strategies, such as curbing development, to cut vehicle use.

Study: New taxes for transit needed

Due to state restrictions on local taxes, Bucks County, like local governments throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, pay about seven times less in matching funds for transit than taxpayers in similar suburban areas throughout the country pay on average, according to the study.

Pittsburgh Arena Master Development Plan

Opportunities to optimize the sustainable design of the Pittsburgh Arena can be divided into these general categories: sustainable sites; water efficiency; energy optimization and atmosphere protection; materials and resources conservation; and indoor environmental quality and health.

Will Allegheny County Lose Local Control of Air Quality?

Allegheny County's Chief Executive is talking about giving up the county's Air Quality Program. Allegheny County is one of only two places in Pennsylvania with local control over air pollution standards. Ann Murray joins Matthew Craig to talk about why this move could impact the air Pittsburghers and people in surrounding townships breathe.

Pitt receives $4.8M to study racial disparity in health care

Eliminating disparities in health care "is a daunting task that will require more than just good intentions," [said] Dr. Donald Burke, GSPH dean and the Jonas Salk Chair in Global Health at Pitt. "Excellent science, visionary leadership and a deep moral commitment are required to bring about change."

Tie vote kills 'affordable housing' in Ross

Neighbors' objections appeared to center on fears about having renters in the neighborhood, increasing storm-water problems and jeopardizing winter safety on the narrow street. "You'll have nothing but problems down there," warned Ron Mays, of Montville Street. "You'll get prostitution and drug dens." Both Mr. Drozynski and John Ginocchi, Trek's director of development, emphasized that the project was not public or low-income housing. Tenants would undergo criminal background and credit checks, according to Raymond Baum, a lawyer for the developers.

Can mere mortals fix Pittsburgh?

Clout is in the suburbs, so the only response can be getting the county to start assuming more of the metropolitan load. A shift from a city to a county police force seems a good bet at some point this century, but it's hardly on the radar now. There's a lot of fiddling around the edges of reform because the city's massive debt and pension burdens means any city-county marriage would come with an anti-dowry. That won't be easy to figure out. Meantime, though, the state should realize that some of Pittsburgh's big non-profits are gold mines and their employees pay millions in state income taxes.

Will we ever learn?

The state Department of Transportation’s current classroom is on Skytop Mountain, where the escalating cost to clean up the environmental mess caused by exposing acid-leaching pyritic rock now approaches $79 million.

Combat Climate Change Initiative Includes Major Global Corporate Leaders; Issues Letter to G8+5 Leaders Calling for Immediate Action

In the presence of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, a group of 46 leading international companies today called on governments to work together to develop a global policy framework to combat climate change. Heads of the companies – based in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa – issued a statement in Washington urging governments around the world to take a series of steps to address climate change.

Connecting the Dots Between Climate Change, Companies, and Financial Performance

The study found that over the past three years companies with climate change risk management already in place, for the most part, out-performed companies within the same sector that didn't have policies in place...The first dimension is a company's carbon strategy and governance. This relates to the strategic decisions of aligning corporate strategy to the realities of an increasingly carbon constrained environment. The model puts forth that a superior carbon strategy indicates a governance with vision, foresight, and agility, three mainstream factors that drive share price performance, Trevet proposed.

Taking back the riverfront: It's time for the public to rally against the special interests.

Though not perfect, it embraces the 300-year-old tradition of William Penn's grid for Philadelphia and advocates an extension of the successful pattern of Center City. Among other items, it dared to suggest that portions of the riverfront could serve as the lungs of the East Coast's second largest city, with open green space, public access to the water, and beautiful vistas for residential leisure and recreational activities. In essence, Penn's dream of a "Greene Country Towne" could be realized along the Delaware River waterfront. No sooner did the Praxis presentation end than another of Philadelphia's age-old traditions reared its ugly head: venomous opposition to bold, new ideas. Much of the opposition came from real estate developers who actually like the way things are currently done and take issue with a process that would require a comprehensive review of every proposed waterfront development.

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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 2007 from:

Dollar Bank
Elsie H. Hillman Foundation
The Giant Eagle Foundation
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