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Sustainability: Fighting for our Future. Abby Cocke, Baltimore Office of Sustainability. What the heck is “sustainability” ???. Sustainability:
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Sustainability: Fighting for our Future Abby Cocke, Baltimore Office of Sustainability
Sustainability: meeting the current environmental, social, and economic needs of our community without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs
Other definitions Sustainability is… • the capacity to endure.
Other definitions Sustainability is… • the capacity to endure. • the idea that human society should operate by utilizing industrial and biological processes that can be sustained indefinitely.
Other definitions Sustainability is… • the capacity to endure. • the idea that human society should operate by utilizing industrial and biological processes that can be sustained indefinitely. • the commonsense notion that long-term prosperity and ecological healthnot only go together, they depend on one another.
It’s the little differences • Perception (who can argue with the idea of sustainability?)
It’s the little differences • Perception (who can argue with the idea of sustainability?) • Specificity (less vague than “healing the earth” or “living in balance”)
It’s the little differences • Perception (who can argue with the idea of sustainability?) • Specificity (less vague than “healing the earth” or “living in balance”) • Focus (explicitly recognizes the human element, often focused on cities)
Why focus on cities? • The more people that live in cities, the more space we can save elsewhere for forests and natural ecosystems.
Why focus on cities? • The more people that live in cities, the more space we can save elsewhere for forests and natural ecosystems. • As of 2008 more than half of the human population lived in cities for the first time.
You gotta have a plan! Timeline: • May 2008 – Kickoff Meeting
You gotta have a plan! Timeline: • May 2008 – Kickoff Meeting • Summer 2008 – Working Group Meetings
You gotta have a plan! Timeline: • May 2008 – Kickoff Meeting • Summer 2008 – Working Group Meetings • Fall2008 – Community Meetings
You gotta have a plan! Timeline: • May 2008 – Kickoff Meeting • Summer 2008 – Working Group Meetings • Fall2008 – Community Meetings • Winter 2008 – Presentation of Draft Plan
You gotta have a plan! Timeline: • May 2008 – Kickoff Meeting • Summer 2008 – Working Group Meetings • Fall2008 – Community Meetings • Winter 2008 – Presentation of Draft Plan • March 2009 – City Council Adopts Plan
You gotta have a plan! Timeline: • May 2008 – Kickoff Meeting • Summer 2008 – Working Group Meetings • Fall2008 – Community Meetings • Winter 2008 – Presentation of Draft Plan • March 2009 – City Council Adopts Plan • April 2009 – Plan Published
Over 150 participants! Youth-planned and youth-led.
Plan Organization 29 Goals 131 Strategies • Cleanliness • Pollution Prevention • Resource Conservation • Greening • Transportation • Education & Awareness • Green Economy
Cleanliness Goals • Eliminate litter throughout the City • Sustain a clean and maintained appearance of public land • Transform vacant lots from liabilities to assets that provide social and environmental benefits
Pollution Prevention Goals • Reduce Baltimore’s greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2015 • Improve Baltimore’s air quality and eliminate Code Red days • Ensure that Baltimore water bodies are fishable and swimmable • Reduce risks from hazardous materials • Improve the health of indoor environments
Resource Conservation Goals • Reduce Baltimore’s energy use by 15% by 2015 2. Reduce Baltimore’s water use while supporting system maintenance • Minimize the production of waste • Maximize reuse and recycling of materials
Greening Goals • Double Baltimore’s Tree Canopy by 2037 • Establish Baltimore as a leader in sustainable, local food systems • Provide safe, well-maintained public recreational space within ¼ mile of all residents • Protect Baltimore’s ecology and bio-diversity
Transportation Goals • Improve public transit services • Make Baltimore bicycle and pedestrian friendly • Facilitate shared-vehicle usage • Measure and improve the equity of transportation 5. Increase transportation funding for sustainable modes of travel
Education & Awareness Goals • Turn every school in Baltimore City into a green school • Ensure all city youth have access to environmental stewardship programs and information • Raise the environmental awareness of the Baltimore community • Expand access to informational resources on sustainability
Green Economy Goals • Create green jobs and prepare city residents for these jobs • Make Baltimore a center for green business • Support local Baltimore businesses • Raise Baltimore’s profile as a forward thinking, green city
TheOffice of Sustainability develops and advocates for programs, policies and actions by government, citizens, businesses, and institutions that improve the long-term environmental, social, and economic viability of Baltimore City.
In addition to overseeing and tracking the implementation of the Baltimore Sustainability Plan, the Office integrates sustainability into City government operations and develops partnerships with groups performing related work.
Partners • Other city agencies • Nonprofits • Advocacy groups • Schools • Businesses • Art organizations • National campaigns • Community groups • Individual activists … to name just a few!
