On September 14, 2010, the Seattle City Council hosted a Carbon Neutrality Forum where members from the eight sectors most critically involved in reducing carbon emission presented action plans and recommendations for the next 1-3 years. Those sector groups are: Transportation, Green Jobs, Land Use, Energy, Youth, Neighborhoods, Food Systems, and Zero Waste.
Individual representatives from each group gave presentations on their recommendations. Max Hepp-Buchanan, the Transportation representative, recommended “utiliz[ing] pricing mechanisms such as increased parking prices and tolling to reduce single occupancy vehicles.”
The Zero Waste sector focused on a push for legislation to put a collar on businesses that create excessive waste, such as the phone book opt-out system, promoted by Councilman O’Brian (more info here).
The Neighborhoods sector recommended more community-based projects where, for example, high school students would be able to learn and practice composting and recycling through incentives such as the Neighborhood Matching Recycling Grants. All are welcome to visit the Neighborhoods sector website, carbonneutral.seattle.gov, to suggest carbon neutral ideas or to browse recent ideas.
Mike O’Brian, chair of the Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods committee, added that “ [he was] impressed by the amazing effort shown by the community members in each sector who have organized themselves and spent hundreds of volunteer hours generating recommendations and white papers that will inform the work Seattle will undertake over the next few years .”
Some simple suggestions to participate in carbon reduction, such as introducing florescent bulbs and reducing average thermostat temperature in households can be found at seattleCAN.org. There is also a carbon footprint calculator where an individual can estimate their carbon emission and begin to cut unnecessary carbon producing activities.
For the full Press Release from the City of Seattle’s September 14th meeting at City Hall, click here.
Please visit the carbon neutral community to stay updated on current and future events.
