Tracking sustainability news and events in Savannah, Georgia (and beyond)
Category
Politics
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10.10.08Tybee Island City Council Strikes AgainAt a time when we are witnessing what happens when greed and short-sightedness mix with lack of regulation and oversight, the Tybee Island City Council voted (again, last night) 4-2 to repeal the city's shoreline protection ordinance. Since its passage in 1999, the city's ordinance has provided a level of protection (from the negative impacts of ever encroaching real estate development) above and beyond what the state requires. The repeal not only strips away this additional layer of protection, but also hands jurisdiction back to the state. The four council members above voted for the repeal. I have four questions for them ...
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10.02.08Curious about bicycle commuting? Join your neighbors and give it a try on FridayBicycle commuting offers many benefits and not the least of them is a closer connection with changing seasons, a relationship with the world that is available these days mostly to farmers and others who spend the majority of their time outside. Except in the case of the bicycle commuter, he or she is able to experience these changes not over the course of entire days, but within the context of twice a day sampling of weather conditions. As a result, I can tell you exactly what it feels like to be on a bike in Savannah at 8:05 a.m. on ...
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09.19.08Red, White and Blue. And Green!This post on Boing Boing led me to a wonderful gallery of high resolution images on the American Legion Web site. In the gallery are hundreds of posters used during World War II to encourage civilians to change their daily routines to aid in the war effort. The individual, who originally posted the link, suggested the posters are, "relevant to a peak oil, global heating world..." I agree. And ours is a country again at war, despite the fact that no similar sacrifices have been demanded of most of us, nor have we been asked to cooperate or conserve. Folks who ...
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08.21.08A Collaborative EffortBy now, you've read the reports about the city's new Thrive Initiative. The public announcement and pledge is an important first step in moving the city toward a more (environmentally) sustainable future. The even better news is that there are is a lot of opportunity for citizens (that means you!) and local organizations (and you!) to take part in the crucial next steps of: Developing policies and programming Implementing policies and programming Measuring the effects of policies and programming Reporting on progress or lack therof to ensure transparency Members of the Savannah Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, Savanah Bicycle Campaign, Savannah State University ...
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07.28.08Tony Thomas talks trashI was recently watching a long-running reality television series on Comcast cable channel 8. TV Guide described the most recent episode of "Savannah City Council Meeting" as a "regular meeting of Savannah's mayor and aldermen." The episode I watched was taped before a live studio audience on July 17. Near the end, Tony Thomas—who joined the cast of "Savannah City Council Meeting" during the 2000 season—described a recent visit to an illegal trash dump. Thomas was clearly angered by the pile of trash which contained, among other items, a "Christmas statue" and a "fish aquarium." Also present was paint, which ...
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07.14.08
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07.09.08ImaginationLast night, creative city making champion Charles Landry spoke to a packed house. I had the pleasure of being in the audience along with most of the usual suspects (govt., real estate development, business, downtownies, a few artists & SCAD folk) . . . you were probably there too. He was worth standing up for, even if my feet are paying the price today. For those of you who couldn't make it, I'll briefly summarize. Landry defines creative cities as those in which ordinary people (along with their local bureaucracies) solve problems (or rather, create opportunities) in imaginative ...
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06.25.08On the RoadsSavannah resident Ardis Wood has an interesting letter to the editor in today's SMN where she implores the Georgia Department of Transportation to actually work with (rather than around) the Sav/Chatham County MPO. I don't know about all those politics (though I'm sure John could enlighten us), but I was struck by the conclusion of her letter. She writes, Because roads don't go through a vacuum. They define a community and create, for better or worse, the place where we experience our city and one another in the public realm. I had to think about that ...
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05.19.08GA Supreme Court Examines Scope of CMPABackground: The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) states . . . This coastal marshlands resource system is costly, if not impossible, to reconstruct or rehabilitate once adversely affected by man. It is important to conserve this system for the present and future use and enjoyment of all citizens and visitors to our state. Activities and structures in the coastal marshlands must be regulated to ensure that the values and functions of the coastal marshlands are not impaired and to fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as public trustees of the coastal marshlands for succeeding generations. (Code 1981, § 12-5-281, enacted by ...
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02.24.08Congressional hopeful to host “Open House on Energy and Environment,” Feb. 28Bill Gillespie, who is running in Georgia's First Congressional District invites, "economists, environmentalists and concerned citizens" to an event on Tybee Island, Feb. 28 from 7 - 9 p.m. On the table for discussion: "how to take action to protect our natural resources and how to move America toward an alternative energy economy." It's worth noting that Rep. Jack Kingston, who currently represents the First District, received the lowest possible rating from the League of Conservation Voters. To find out more about attending this event, click here.
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About
Transportation, land use, local farming and green building are all potential topics for Sustainable Savannah. The goal is to aggregate content about local events and projects, so there will be a central place to review everything that’s happening. The site is aimed at encouraging collaboration and information sharing between groups and individuals currently engaged in sustainability efforts. The site can also provide a snapshot of Savannah for green-minded people who are considering visiting or moving to the area.
