From a Global Village to a Green Village In the 21st Century we need to move from the “Global Village” to the “Green Village”. The Green Village leaves behind a better planet. We use less. We use resources wisely and efficiently. We recycle. The Green Village is where the Industrial Age Meets the Information Age. We now have access to knowledge bases. Information technology can be used to record, measure and track environmental data. Our global connectivity allows us to work together to find solutions. We can make the Green Village a reality by taking responsibility, through collaboration, innovation and action. A great example of this is Westport’s “Green Energy Task Force”. Private citizens got together to assess local greenhouse emissions and establish a local action plan to combat global warming. This has prompted the Town of Westport to relamp town buildings, install solar panels, buy hybrid vehicles and use biofuels. Individuals have pledged to reduce their carbon footprint by one ton per year for next three years. Every town should consider launching its own Greenhouse Gas Emissions Initiative. Public transportation is crucial to meeting environmental goals. The Danbury branch line is a valuable, under-utilized resource. Rail transportation is much more energy efficient, especially when compared to single occupancy vehicles. Restoring frequent rail service is our best hope to get people out of cars. We need more trains, with service extended to New Milford. To support this additional service, we need more parking at every station, as well as scheduled connecting bus service. Investment in rail is expensive but gives lasting benefits. Action In Hartford Is Also Needed. “HB 5600 – An Act Concerning CT Global Warming Solutions” is currently under consideration in the General Assembly. It mandates a 10% reduction of greenhouse gasses below 1990 levels by 2020, as well as an 80% reduction below 2001 levels by 2050. State agencies will be directed to: minimize cost and maximize benefit; ensure compliance with federal standards; weigh potential societal benefits; mitigate impact on low-income communities; and ensure “real, permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable” reductions. Passage of this bill will be a step in the right direction. (Passed in the CT House and Senate -- awaiting Governor Rell's signature). Green Jobs could contribute significantly to economic development in Connecticut. From 1990 to 2005, new job growth was virtually flat., and we have fewer businesses in the state today than we did in 1989. However, environmental jobs are already a significant factor here and could be an area of future growth.. 2004 sales were estimated at $5.8B which translates into 66,000 jobs, increasing 1-2% annually, including manufacturing, professional, scientific, technical services, and educational services. We need to leverage state investment and our educational system to promote growth in this sector. The guiding principles for the Green Village are simple: responsibility and action are shared by individuals, governments, and institutions. Each generation leaves behind a better planet, and we do not burden our children and grandchildren with our waste. Instead we begin to act like caretakers again, bequeathing them the Earth’s abundance. Ultimately, this is a matter of survival. ********************************
This essay was adapted from the speech John presented at the Earth Day April 22nd meeting of R.A.C.E (Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment) in Ridgefield. |
