City is one of California’s most environmentally progressive jurisdictions
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11/05/09
Pasadena, California, home to Fuller’s main campus, has recently been featured for its best practices in implementing “green” policies and technologies.
A longtime contributor to Pasadena’s community life, Fuller Seminary itself is committed to preserving the environment. Its newly opened David Allan Hubbard Library, for example, was designed explicitly with environmental concerns in mind—using recycled materials, reclaimed wood products, and green energy sources.
The press release below, issued by the City of Pasadena on November 3, 2009, details its recognition as a Green City:
PASADENA FEATURED IN GREEN CITIES’ BEST PRACTICES WEBSITE
Pasadena is featured in Green Cities California’s new Best Practices website (www.greencitiescalifornia.org ), a storehouse of cutting-edge environmental policies intended to help cities avoid pitfalls and save time.
A founding member of GCC, Pasadena has contributed two success stories to date: creating a tree inventory using sophisticated technology, and adopting and implementing a green building practices ordinance.
The purpose of this first-of-its-kind website by GCC – a collaboration of 10 of the state’s most environmentally progressive jurisdictions – is to accelerate the implementation of sound environmental policies in cities and counties.
“As California continues to lead our nation in green technology and sustainability, it is essential that our cities and local governments step up and take the lead as well,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “It is fantastic to see these local cities coordinating their efforts to use green technology as an opportunity to stimulate the economy, build jobs and produce real solutions, and I urge other cities to take part and do the same.”
Local sustainability policies have a positive impact on environmental protection according to Carol Misseldine, coordinator of GCC. For example, there has been a dramatic drop in littered polystyrene on California beaches due to the adoption of polystyrene bans by 24 coastal jurisdictions in the state.
Development of such legislation can be so time-consuming that many cities do not have the resources to develop local environmental policy. “Now any jurisdiction can benefit from the hard work completed by other jurisdictions and simply modify the policy to suit their locale,” GCC steering committee member David Assmann said.
The free website, created by local governments for local governments, provides everything staff and decision makers need to implement new policies, including policy documents, staff reports, background research, legal analysis, and outreach and education materials.
Green Cities California members are Pasadena, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Marin County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Barbara and Santa Monica.
Nearly 50 best practices, organized around the seven categories of the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords – energy, waste, urban design, urban nature, transportation, environmental health and water – can be accessed at www.greencitiescalifornia.org .
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