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Events

Resources

(Click on the image above to review a growing list of examples of sustainable development happening in municipalities around our region. See "View Projects already submitted")

Green Strategies for Vacant Land Management in Pittsburgh

The brownbag forum will be held Wednesday, December 13 from 12 pm - 1:15 pm at Pittsburgh City Council Chambers in the City County Building. Space is limited. RSVP to info@sustainablepittsburgh.org or 412-258-6642 Light refreshments provided.

Graduate students at the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon, have conducted a study of vacant land management for the City of Pittsburgh utilizing Green strategies. Formed by Mayor O'Connor's Redd Up Initiative and continued by Mayor Ravenstahl's administration, the goal of the study is to provide the City, community and neighborhood organizations with a comprehensive view of the current land management system, as well as practical recommendations for next steps, including options for reuse of vacant land, and implementation strategies. Vacant land, whether abandoned properties or vacant lots present opportunities for community revitalization, economic growth and sustainability. Partners across Pittsburgh are coming together to alleviate blight through determination, innovation, and a commitment to Green Practices. The time has come to revisit how the system works, maximize existing resources, and cultivate fresh ideas.

Hosted by The City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Heinz School of Public Policy and Sustainable Pittsburgh.

Resources Continued

Communications Workshop Sponsored by the American Planning Association and Pennsylvania Planning Association

Tuesday, December 5
10 am - 2:30 pm
State College Borough Building - 243 Allen St.
State College
Fee: $30 (includes lunch)
Info: 717-671-4510 or mawirick@comcast.net

A half-day workshop teaching planners how to use tested planning messages and framing strategies with the media and important stakeholders in order to communicate their perspective, diffuse controversy, and win greater support for planning. Custom-tailored to planners, the workshop will provide media relations and public speaking skills that can help advance planning objectives at the local level.

Launch of the Rachel Carson Centennial in 2007

Tuesday, December 5
9:30 am
31st Floor Regional Enterprises Tower (425 Sixth Ave.)
Downtown Pittsburgh
Free. Continental Breakfast served.
RSVP 724-274-5459 or fiona@rachelcarsonhomestead.org

Join Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, State Representative Frank Dermody and State Senator Sean Logan for a preview of the Rachel Carson Centennial in 2007 and the launch of the new website.

Help Make Pittsburgh a More Walkable Community

Saturday, December 9
2 pm
University of Pittsburgh's Public Health Auditorium (just off 5th Ave. between Bouquet and Desoto St.
Pittsburgh (Oakland)
Info: 412-255-2102 or richard.meritzer@city.pittsburgh.pa.us or www.walkinginfo.org

The City of Pittsburgh's Department of Planning is in the process of creating a Pedestrian Plan to address and correct issues with regards to walking around town. Pittsburgh is one of the first cities in the country to create a Pedestrian Plan, and we applaud that effort. They are inviting the residents of Pittsburgh to attend a Public Hearing to review the Draft Pedestrian Plan. This is a unique opportunity to meet with City Planning and give ideas on how to make the streets safe for all users. What's good for pedestrians is good for cyclists as it usually incorporates traffic calming measures, so mark your calendars!

SW PA Air Quality Partnership Inc. Annual Meeting

Monday, December 11
8:30 - 10:45 am (includes breakfast)
DEP Headquarters, 500 Waterfront Drive
Washington's Landing
RSVP: 412-442-4189 or cmensing@state.pa.us

Did you know that the cap on the electric rates comes off in 2007 and 2008? The SW PA Air Quality Partnership will host a number of speakers, including representatives from the PUC and the Allegheny Conference who will discuss this topic and ways businesses can reduce costs now to meet the future increases.

3rd Annual Regional Equitable Development Summit "County Comprehensive Planning for Equitable Development in Southwestern Pennsylvania"

Friday, December 15, 2006
8:30 - 11:30 am (8 am registration)
The Twentieth Century Club
4201 Bigelow Blvd. (Oakland)
No fee to attend
Register by calling 412-258-6642 or info@sustainablepittsburgh.org

The 3rd annual Regional Equitable Development Summit, will feature john a. powell, Director of Ohio State University's Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, speaking on equitable development in the Southwestern PA region and best emerging practices around the nation. The way a region grows and develops has a profound impact on the quest to ensure individuals and families in all communities can participate and benefit from economic growth and prosper. Additionally, equitable development is essential to a prosperous region.

A formal public input session of Allegheny Places (Allegheny County's comprehensive land use plan that is now being developed), the Summit will explore equity in regional development by addressing the challenges and opportunities inherent in the quest to ensure individuals and families in all communities can participate and benefit from economic growth and activity.

With a purview of strategies that are proving effective among counties in the region, the Summit collaborates will examine how strategic public, private, and civic investments and county land use planning can substantially reduce disparities in services and in social and economic conditions. Come learn how policies regarding investments for jobs, businesses, transportation access, and housing can be crafted to be truly inclusive of low income and communities of color.

The Summit will feature panels consisting of economic development and country planning directors from around the region, along with representatives from the Allegheny Places resource panels on Economic Development, Transportation, and Equity & Diversity.

At the Summit, the public is invited to provide input on draft elements of the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan, and consider opportunities to advance the policy and practice of equitable development in our region.

The Twentieth Century Club is fully accessible and can be reached by the following bus lines: 54C, 61A, 61B, 61C, 71A, 71C, 71D, 500, 501, 59U. Parking is available beneath Soldiers & Sailors Memorial.

The Summit is presented by Sustainable Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh's Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership.

Sponsored by:

E-Mentoring project seeks professionals across industries

E4: Educators and Employers Engaged for Excellence (a project of the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board) needs your help to provide career education experiences such as job shadow tours and presentations for our local youth.

Currently Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board has a particular need for e-mentors from diverse occupations to participate in a semester-long (January - May 2007) weekly email correspondence with a high school student. We ask mentors to pay for the Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Clearance ($10 each). In 20 minutes per week you can become a mentor who:

· Uses email to communicate with a student in a time-efficient, yet flexible manner.

· Is a trusted guide who will listen and help explore career opportunities.

· Models responsible corporate behavior and enhances your organization's image.

Please contact Bridget Barrett at Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board to learn how to get involved: 412-552-7087 or e4info@trwib.org .

It's getting much easier to be green in Pittsburgh

Although the county's comprehensive land-use plan will be largely advisory, it comes in response to "a push from the state toward sustainability," said Ms. Gelzhiser. "There's just been a great convergence of efforts." "The Keystone Principles is the state gesturing to regions with expeditious ideas to get more bang for buck," said Court Gould, executive director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, which is involved in multi-municipal land use planning. "Dollars are scarce, expectations are high, principles of sustainable development are mainstream and our ticket to stability. "This is a very exciting time to be in our region right now," said Mr. Gould. "What once might have been thought warm and fuzzy are prerequisites to a complete community that's more successful in the long haul."

Historic Vandergrift looks to future

The Vandergrift Improvement Program -- VIP -- is another nonprofit organization comprising local residents, businesses, municipal and state government officials working to protect, preserve and restore the community through the National Trust for Historical Preservations' Main Street approach...The design committee is developing guidelines for the protection of historical buildings during changes or renovations. Those on the economic restructuring committee are determining how many businesses are downtown and what types of businesses are in place in order to gauge what improvements are needed..."Sustainable Pittsburgh is working with us so that Vandergrift becomes a green sustainable development," Matta said. "And the Mascaro Sustainability Initiative through the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering is also working on quite a project in Vandergrift."..All the partnerships have helped VIP pick up steam on revitalization projects. "Other towns are calling us for information. Everyone has a passion for this, and it's something that's really taking off," Teeple said.

Denver opens new, $939M commuter rail

The approach has also caught on in other cities: St. Louis recently added eight miles to its existing 38-mile system. Kansas City, Mo., officials are trying to figure what to do now that voters surprised them and voted to build a light rail system. Salt Lake voters approved an expansion of their 14-mile system. Phoenix hopes to open a light rail system in 2008. But Denver has been a leader, said Virginia Miller, spokeswoman for the American Public Transportation System. Last fall, seven years after rejecting a similar project, voters approved $4.7 billion to add 84 miles over the next 12 years with lines to the east, west and north and extensions to existing lines. The project includes a touch of history: Instead of modern light rail cars, planners want to use street cars in the historic Five Points neighborhood. "It is really important for the people in this country to have a choice, and to have a world-class transportation system, you need to have more than one mode of transportation," said Miller.

Chicago's Metra, Pace and CTA Roll out a $57 Billion Suburban Transit Plan

22 States Say EPA Too Soft on Mercury

Becker said many states informed his group they viewed the trading system as ``extremely problematic'' because it would create so-called hot spots of pollution in waterways. ``By allowing a utility in Ohio to trade with one in Florida, for example, it may improve mercury levels in one of those states,'' he said, ``but it will continue to exacerbate the levels in the other state.'' The states' responses also reflect the fast-changing nature of a carbon injection technology for trapping mercury in power plant exhaust systems. Once considered effective only for coal mined in the East, the technology is now also working better with lower-sulfur coals mined in the West, Becker said. The 22 states listed as having tougher mercury-cutting plans than the federal government are: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Rendell: Pa. unemployment lowest since early 2001

Residents turn out to oppose project

Originally, the partnership hoped to build more than 550 units of apartments, single-family homes and townhouses on several neighboring properties along Route 611 and Durham Road, said Robert Gundlach, who represents the developers. Now, the partnership is proposing just less than 200 units of townhouses and single-family homes, he said. It plans to consolidate the build-up on two properties and dedicate a 20-acre property to the township for recreation. A potential park, which preliminary plans showed as having soccer and baseball fields, had been slated for development...Paying to educate a larger student body in the Palisades School District had others concerned too. “We can't afford $78 million for a new school,” said one woman. Gundlach said the scaled-down plan showed an effort on the developer's part to reduce impact on the school.

Asian influence molds old steel town

The number of immigrants coming to the Pittsburgh region is relatively small compared with other American cities. Asians make up 1.3 percent of the Pittsburgh metropolitan region's 2.3 million population, according to Chris Briem, an economist at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Social and Urban Research. But, according to the Census, about half of the 25,000 immigrants who came to the Pittsburgh region in the 1990s were Asian. Influx of intellect. More than half of the 1,600 foreign students at the University of Pittsburgh and 75 percent of Carnegie Mellon's nearly 2,100 international students are Asian, most from India, China and South Korea. As a result, the Pittsburgh region boasts the nation's highest percentage of immigrants with college degrees -- 58 percent, according to William Frey, a demographer with the Washington-based Brookings Institution...The region boasts vibrant Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean communities. There are more than 8,600 Chinese out of an Asian population of nearly 31,000, according to Census figures.

Local manufacturers building green future

While Western Pennsylvania has drawn national attention for having a plethora of green buildings, the energy-efficient components that make up those buildings have flown largely under the radar. But as more and more environmentally sensitive buildings take shape around the world, local manufacturers are preparing to cash in.

The GLOBE-Net Primer on Climate Change and Carbon Trading

The GLOBE-Net Primer on Climate Change and Carbon Trading sets out the basic facts on both the science and the business of climate change. Readers will be better able to sift through the very complex and often confusing array of facts and choices before us as we come to grips with what clearly is the most critical challenge facing mankind today.

Estimating Transportation-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy Use in New York

State, the report is designed to develop a baseline and projection for energy use and CO2 emissions for the state and by sector, and for each metropolitan planning organization (MPO) in the state by mode. The report also examines MPO experiences and responses to the new energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) analysis contained in the state energy plan and evaluates potential energy savings and GHG reductions from selected transportation strategies. "The Task Force’s final report – released in May 2003 – outlined 27 recommendations for reducing GHG emissions in New York State, such as setting a state reduction target and channeling State transportation funds to finance less GHG-intensive activities...The NY SEP seeks to provide New York State citizens with fairly priced, clean, and efficient energy resources; it also reflects elements of the Master Transportation Plan developed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the State Implementation Plan prepared by the State Department of Environmental Conservation. This plan has the distinction of being one of the first in the nation to integrate transportation planning, energy conservation, greenhouse gas (CO2) mitigation, and air quality planning.

Court Hears Global Warming Case

Twelve states, led by Massachusetts and joined by the District of Columbia, are objecting to the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to decline to issue emissions standards for new cars and trucks. They and the environmental organizations that support them say the standards should be the first step in a broader effort to reduce carbon dioxide and other gases that they say are harming the atmosphere and leading to global warming and rising sea levels...But the court's decision could affect other efforts by environmentalists to force action on emissions from power plants -- stalled in the courts -- and shed light on the appropriateness of individual states' actions. California, for instance, has passed greenhouse gas emissions standards that are to go into effect in 2009 but are being challenged by industry.

EU orders tougher new emissions targets to meet Kyoto commitments

The European Union yesterday ordered a toughening of member states' greenhouse gas emission targets to meet its commitments under the Kyoto protocol to combat global warming.

The State of Canada's Environment

The second annual report on Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators was released last week and the news is not encouraging. Rising levels of greenhouse gas emissions and smog-forming pollutants and continued degradation of water quality in our lakes and rivers are affecting the health and well-being of Canadians, and threaten the nation’s long-term economic performance.

Energy firms come to terms with climate change

While the political debate over global warming continues, top executives at many of the nation's largest energy companies have accepted the scientific consensus about climate change and see federal regulation to cut greenhouse gas emissions as inevitable..."We have to deal with greenhouse gases," John Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Co., said in a recent speech at the National Press Club. "From Shell's point of view, the debate is over. When 98 percent of scientists agree, who is Shell to say, 'Let's debate the science'?"

British travel agents launch carbon offset scheme

The giant Association of British Travel Agents is joining forces with two other British travel industry organizations to launch a carbon offset program. The scheme will allow agents to offer their customers the chance to offset the climate warming impact of their trips by paying towards environmental projects worldwide. Offsetting means the traveler pays someone else to reduce the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by the same amount that the traveler's activities add, neutralizing the CO2 generated by traveling. Carbon offsets are not necessarily expensive. A trip from London to Berlin, for instance, generates 0.23 metric tons of CO2, which would cost $3.30 to offset, according to the Climate Care Trust...Offset projects might consist of installing a windfarm, using a more energy efficient technology, or planting trees, which absorb carbon dioxide. The typical family car, doing 10,000 miles a year, is likely to cost about $39 to offset.

Weather Channel launches quarterly climate index

The Weather Channel has introduced the One Degree Climate Index, a source of statistics and data focusing on the average consumer's response to climate change and environmental pressures... "The One Degree Climate Index, gives us another way for to demonstrate how climate has an impact on daily life and habits," said Matt de Ganon, vice president of broadband and consumer applications, The Weather Channel Interactive. "We hope it brings into focus how the discussion of global warming is affecting the average person."

Alcoa develops 'Engineered Natural Systems' to reduce discharges

Alcoa says it is actively developing, evaluating, and implementing natural sustainable technologies to reduce the environmental footprint at its aluminum smelting, refining, and production facilities. The innovative technologies, called Engineered Natural Systems, use a variety of plants, soils, and microbes to reduce the volume of discharged stormwater and process water as well as the concentrations of pollutants in the discharged water. These passive "green" technologies are helping Alcoa to achieve environmental goals stated in its "2020 Strategic Framework for Sustainability," which calls for the company to reduce process water usage by 70% from 2000 to 2010 and achieve zero water discharge by 2020.

Winding road: Fixing transportation is about more than dollars

After 16 months of study, testimony and deliberation, the state's Transportation Funding and Reform Commission has issued its final report. If all you remember is that it recommended a 12.5-cent increase in the gasoline tax, you're not paying attention...With the future of transportation in the balance, the debate is about more than just what it costs. It's also about the cost of not doing it right.

Penn Future Podcast: Urban Sustainability Forum on Energy

In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey speaks with presenters at the October 2006 Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum event on energy. Joy speaks first with Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the non-profit Energy Coordinating Agency. ECA is best-known for helping to make low-income homes more energy efficient, but their services are available to everyone in the Philadelphia area.

Study Shows Going Green Saves Schools $100,000 a Year

A new national report finds that building "green" would save an average school $100,000 each year - enough to hire two new additional full-time teachers. The report breaks new ground by demonstrating that green schools - schools designed to be energy efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly -- are extremely cost-effective. Total financial benefits from green schools outweigh the costs 20 to 1. With over $35 billion dollars projected to be spent in 2007 on K-12 construction, the conclusions of this report have far-reaching implications for future school design.

Penn Future Podcast: Words to Live By from Wanjira Maathai

It's almost impossible to sum up the accomplishments of the inimitable Wangari Maathai. She recently returned to Pittsburgh (she received her Master's degree in biology at the University of Pittsburgh in 1965) to receive an honorary doctorate, and to speak at the national convention of the Society of American Foresters. The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has impacted the lives of countless people. Perhaps one of her most important contributions to the world is her ability to inspire great action in others. In this podcast, PennFuture's D.J. Trischler speaks with Wanjira Maathai, Wangara's daughter and the Executive Director of Green Belt Movement International, the organization her mother founded.

Seeking regulations to curb gas emissions from cars

Robert B. McKinstry is an attorney with the Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll law firm in Philadelphia. He is counsel for 18 climate scientists from Stanford University, NASA and other institutions in a suit before the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to force the EPA to regulate emissions. Twelve states and 13 environmental groups sued the agency. McKinstry currently occupies the Maurice K. Goddard Chair in Forestry and Environmental Resource Conservation at the Pennsylvania State University School of Forest Resources. Read a transcript of the oral arguments presented Wednesday, Nov. 29 before the justices. Click to read.

McKinstry will answer your questions Thursday, Nov. 30 and Friday, Dec. 1. He will try to answer as many questions as possible. Ask him questions directly online at: http://go.philly.com/warming.

Metals industry publishes declaration on recycling for sustainable development

The metals industry has today published a declaration on recycling principles aimed at encouraging product policy-makers, designers and manufacturers to adopt life cycle thinking when developing metals recycling policies.

Cool Pennsylvania Campaign

Pennsylvania emits one percent of the world’s greenhouse gases (we only have 0.2 percent of the world’s population) and that is more than 105 developing nations combined. In addition, the Commonwealth is in the top three emitters of greenhouse gases in the United States (only Texas and California emit more). While our state is doing much in the way of developing alternative energy, we have yet to create policies to address greenhouse gases directly. You can help to tackle global warming in Pennsylvania.

Join the Cool Pennsylvania Campaign sponsored by Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) at http://www.pennfuture.org/campaigns_detail.aspx?CampaignID=2&Home=Y . By endorsing the Cool Pennsylvania Campaign you will be asking the Governor to join Pennsylvania as a participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). RGGI is a collaborative effort by northeastern states to cap-and-trade carbon dioxide emitted from power plants (Pennsylvania is currently only an “observer” in the process). In addition, the campaign is asking the Pennsylvania General Assembly to study global warming in Pennsylvania and to develop a Global Warming Plan of Action. Individuals as well as organizations (businesses, organizations, faith communities, healthcare providers, schools and municipalities) can sign as endorsers of the campaign.

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

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

Please review SP's regional assessments and vision/policies for the future: SWPA Regional Indicators Report, Citizens' Vision for Smart Growth, and Regional Policy Guidance Document by clicking on the links to our website.

The Transportation for Livable Communities project is a partnership of Sustainable Pittsburgh and the national Surface Transportation Policy Project to advance a sustainable transportation system for Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Sustainable Pittsburgh benefits from support in 2006 from:

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Dollar Bank
The Heinz Endowments
Mellon Financial Corporation
The Pittsburgh Foundation
PNC Bank
Richard King Mellon Foundation


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