February 21, 2008 - 6:39PM
It sounds nice, communities transforming
themselves so that environmental concerns are their dominant
focus. But the truth is, any sincere transformation takes a
complete change of mindset and more than a pocketful of change.
In short, going green isn’t going to be easy.
Alton is being targeted by the local chapter of the Sierra Club,
with the idea that the city could be a leader in ongoing efforts
to make cities in Illinois more ecologically efficient.
By signing onto the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection
Agreement, cities have since 2005 been declaring themselves
willing to implement smart energy solutions to save money.
Specifically they would attempt to:
Implement energy efficiency solutions through better technology;
Convert city fleets to green vehicles, such as hybrid sedans; and
Use natural energy, such as wind and solar power.
Alton is not unlike most communities in America, led by
individuals born long before the green boom. It is harder for
today’s leaders to see what may be more apparent to future
generations — that resources are dwindling and there is a
real need to focus on them. That applies to the air we breathe,
the land and forests we own and the water we drink.
Reducing carbon emissions is seen as one way to stretch resources.
That comes at a cost, but it’s a cost that must be
rationalized in comparison to the growing costs of energy in
general. City governments are just like homeowners when it comes
to higher electric and gas bills. (The city’s energy costs
have increased by an estimated $750,000 in the past year.)
If they can save money over a long haul, that’s worth
thorough study.
In the past year, 500 more cities have signed the agreement,
bringing the total signed on to 780. Many of those towns are just
like Alton in that they know not what the future brings in the
way of energy costs.
Only recently, Alton wisely began doing an energy audit to see
where it’s wasting money. That could be a critical first
step to changing long-held practices, and it could pay dividends
for everyone in the end.