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TAMPA IS GOING GREEN! Print this page (PDF) You Can Help Create a Better Way of Life in Tampa! As we all feel the effects of rising energy costs and supply shortages, we face an urgent need to change the way we use energy. With major new construction and re-development planned for downtown Tampa, the time is right to support green building practices that will save energy, water, and other natural resources for today and for our future. What is Green Cities? The ultimate goal of Green Cities is to facilitate awareness and behavior changes to move towards sustainability* in lifestyles, business practices, and government policies to enhance the quality of our community. Some potential benefits that may take place are: • Energy, water, and cost savings through the construction, operation, and maintenance of high performance buildings and landscapes • Healthier and more productive work environments • The procurement of environmentally preferred products, materials, and services • Historical preservation • Less local and global adverse environmental impacts • Conservation of non-renewable natural resources • Increased recycling and materials reuse *Sustainability: “Sustainable Development means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” – World Commission on Environment and Development Who Is Involved? Sierra Club is working with Built Environment for a Sustainable Tampa Bay (BEST), local businesses like Healthy Home, and other groups to educate citizens in Tampa and local government and businesses on how and why to “go green.” How Can Tampa Go Green? One of the first steps is to ask our city government to commit to a plan for adopting green and sustainable practices by joining the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), a non-profit organization that helps local governments and businesses measure current energy use and environmental impacts, then sets goals and guidelines for improvements. Are Other Florida Local Governments Doing This? YES they are! The Sierra Club, along with the St. Petersburg Council of Neighborhood Associations, recently ran a successful community outreach campaign that resulted in St. Petersburg adopting the Green Cities Resolution and joining the Florida Green Building Coalition (see www.floridagreenbuilding.org for more details). Cities across the state of Florida and the country are enacting sustainability policies, including the counties of Miami-Dade, Alachua, Sarasota, and the City of Gainesville – and now, St. Petersburg! With the hard work of caring citizens like you, Tampa can go green, too! Want to Get Involved? Want to Learn More? The Sierra Club has a variety of ways for you to get involved in the Green Cities campaign. Through fun and social-oriented outreach, you can help energize and educate our community about this great program. Join us at our weekly Tuesday Action Nights for letter writing and phone outreach to our supporters, or come to a community walk or tabling event and help educate your neighbors about Green Cities. Contact Darden Rice at darden.rice@sierraclub.org or at (727) 824-8813 ext. 308. This can work. Efficiency pays! Through their Sustainable Sarasota program, Sarasota County government is on track to save $750,000 a year in energy and resource costs. You can save up to 50% on your own energy bills by taking a few energy efficiency steps. While the typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on their home’s utility bills, a large portion of that energy is usually wasted. When you consider the electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars, you’ve got two great reasons to conserve – saving money and saving the environment! Did You Know? ¤The world used 57 million barrels of oil per day in 1973. In 2002, it was 76 million. Consumption is expected to reach 110 million barrels daily by 2020 (UNEP 2005; Cetron and Davies 2005). ¤ Fossil fuels provide 90% of the world’s energy supply (EIA 2004). ¤ The United States, with 5% of the world’s population, consumes 30% of all oil consumed (Adam 2002). ¤ An average American uses twice as much fossil fuel (coal, oil, and natural gas) as the average resident of Great Britain and 2.5 times as much as the average Japanese (Brower and Leon 1999). ¤ Florida residents collectively spend approximately $7.5 billion on energy each year. (Energy Information Administration 2005). Make energy conservation a part of your life! It is important that Tampa sees change on a community basis as well as an individual basis. Making a few simple changes in your home can save energy, reduce pollution and save you money! 4 ways you can save energy now on air conditioning, heating, and hot water costs: • Seal leaks in your attic, basement, and fireplace and around electrical outlets = save 1-2% • Turn thermostat off when home is unoccupied for extended periods of time = save up to 15% • Install flow restricting devices in showers and faucets = save up to 10% • Replace central air conditioner with more efficient unit = save up to 40% Help make a better way of life for Tampa. Let’s keep our community healthy, lively, and beautiful for our future generations. For More Information: Contact Darden Rice at darden.rice@sierraclub.org or 727-824-8813 ext. 303   Sign me up to help make a better way of life for St. Pete! I want to get involved.   Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use