In my dream the angel shrugged and said, if we fail this time

1. In my dream the angel shrugged and said, if we fail this time it will be a failure of imagination. and then she placed the world gently in the palm of my hand -- brain andreas

2. Towards a Sustainable Washington Implementing Governor Locke’s Executive Order 02-03 P2 Roundtable March 18th, 2004

3. Executive Order 02-03Sustainable Practices for State Agencies Signed September 18th, 2002 Governor’s Advisory Panel pledges support and guidance

4. the executive order states that Sustainability provides for current needs without sacrificing the needs of future generations; The state of Washington is committed to the mutually compatible goals of economic vitality, a healthy environment and strong communities; Within state government, sustainable practices require decisions based a systematic evaluation of the long-term impacts of an activity or product on health and safety, communities, and the environment and economy of Washington State;

5. Reversing the steady decline in the natural resources and ecosystems on which people and economic vitality depend is critical to our future; and The regional and global implications of climate change, loss of biological diversity, and threats to resources such as clean water require us all to examine and change behaviors; and State government should model sustainable business practices that contribute to the long-term protection and enhancement of our environment, our economy and the health of current and future generations

6. long term goals • Institutionalize sustainability as an agency value; • Raise awareness in the workplace; • Minimize energy and water use; • Shift to clean energy for both facilities and vehicles; • Shift to non-toxic, recycled and remanufactured materials in purchasing and construction; • Expand markets for environmentally preferable products and services; and • Reduce or eliminate waste as an inefficient or improper use of resources.

9. agencies respond to executive order planning requirement • over 50 Plans received • almost every agency over 20 employees engaged in the planning process • established interagency networking group, listserv and website • convened state sustainability steering committee to guide progress • many agencies “ramping up” the first year, focusing on education and baseline data collection

10. A few selections from sustainability plans: • Purchase 10% of energy from clean renewable resources (PRINTING) • All new facilities construction and renovation shall be LEED Certified. Sustainability standards for all new leased buildings will be established. (DOH) • All janitorial services in owned or leased facilities will use environmentally friendly products (EFP) to the full extent allowable under health and safety regulations by 2009. (DSHS) • Create a feasibility plan for food waste composting at the Lacey Building and other facilities as appropriate (ECOLOGY) • Switch to 10% of paper purchases 100% recycled and chlorine free. (OFM) • Educate all employees on our footprint; report on sustainability progress quarterly (LOTTERY) • development.

11. innovative goal-setting • DOC: “Establishing long-term goals provides a mechanism for freeing an organization from the self-defeating attitude that would say an objective is impossible. If we aim low, or plan only in the short term, we tend not to invite the freshness of thought and synergy of challenge and creativity that are the keys to true progress.” • CTED: “We seek to provide sustainable products and services in a sustainable way” • Strategy 1. Do what we do in as sustainable fashion as possible • Strategy 2. Ensure our products and services are sustainable • Integrate water, transportation, energy, land use planning with economic development.

12. department of licensing • offices services unit uses biodiesel, an alternative fuel for their delivery vehicle. • currently costs 18 cents more/gallon, but the health benefits are significant. • reductions in carbon monoxide and particulate matter • reductions in cancer causing chemicals in the exhaust.

13. successful implementation of plans • keep up momentum! • engage and empower sustainability teams • concrete assignments with due dates • celebrate small successes • acknowledge employees who put in extra effort • network with other agencies, share successes and failures; learn together! • take advantage of training and education opportunities • identify common goals and needs for research • continued commitment and support from the cabinet and executive managers

14. the steering committee also identified a need for stronger policy guidance and direction in key areas • Fleets: Vehicles and Fuel • Paper Procurement and Use • Facilities: Increasing Efficiency and Use of Renewables • Green Building Standards and Practices

15. paper facts • One third of wood harvested goes to making paper • 10,000 sheets of copy paper are used by an average worker yearly • The Pulp and Paper industry is the 2nd largest consumer of energy and uses more water to produce a ton of product than any other industry • Paper accounts for 38% of municipal solid waste generated annually in the US • In 2001, Washington State Agencies purchased 110,000 tons of paper, roughly 57 million sheets (of which 34,000 tons of virgin paper), 835 tons • Converting the virgin paper to 30% recycled would significantly reduce water, energy, air emissions

16. If we took the 835 tonsof virgin paper and instead purchased 100% recycled paper, we would save: • 14,000 pulp trees • almost 6 million gallons of water • 50,000 pounds of air pollutants • 3.5 million kwh of energy • 2500 cubic yards of landfill space, represented by the recycled paper

17. What’s Next? • Progress Reports due October 15th • Plan Updates due September 1st every even numbered year (this year due on October 15th) • Policy recommendations for key products and services due end of May – possible budget proposals

18. “Of course, I want to save the world, she said, but I was hoping to do it from the comfort of my regular life.” --Brian Andreas

19. we are in good company! • local government • corporations • labor unions • faith community • other states and federal agencies

20. We are not all capable of great things, but we are all capable of doing small things with great love. (read, sustainably!) Mother Teresa