Environment

“When you start with everything, you start with nothing,” Beth Osborne, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy at the US Department of Transportation (DOT), stated of the importance to narrow the focus of a livability agenda in order to be effective.

At Partners’ recent forum on September 22, “Building Livable Communities: Creating a Common Agenda”, many discussed livability’s ubiquitous nature on both macro and micro levels. The panelists spoke of the need for access and affordability to the many factors that serve as part of a system to create livable communities: transportation, housing, and education, to name a few. But when does a boundless agenda for livability, incorporating all relatable factors that serve to shape a livable community, become unproductive? In brief,  what is the ‘tipping point’ for livability?

The American Society of Landscape Architect’s weekly blog, “The Dirt: Connecting the Built and Natural Environments,” posts detailed highlights from “Building Livable Communities: Creating a Common Agenda,” Partner’s recent Forum in collaboration with the Hirshhorn Museum.  Recapping the panel of Federal officials including HUD, DOT, and their overlapping agendas to create an “infrastructure for livability” through “interdependencies,” the blog also includes highlights from the speakers representing local government, non for profit agencies, and corporate entities. The Dirt showcases some of the newest ideas and agendas surrounding the national livability framework presented at the forum. Read about it here

February 3-5, 2011 - Charlotte, NC

Today, more than ever, we are faced with environmental and economic challenges that will define our generation, shape our future, and test our resilience as cities, regions, states and a nation. Join leaders from across the U.S. as we tackle these challenges head-on and demonstrate smart growth solutions that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create a green economy, assure a healthy population, and expand transportation and housing options for all Americans.

“Aging in Place ” and “Green Living” might seem like an unlikely pairing. However, advocates from both camps have found many commonalities between the two.  Aging today is not solely an issue of health and finances; the issue of aging has developed into so much more than that because of drastic increases in life expectancy over the past century.  Unfortunately, poorly designed elder communities unfairly isolate individuals because of their age or capacity.  As a result, these auto-dependent communities create barriers for older individuals, but also create barriers to healthy living and civic engagement for all individuals.  

Partners is excited to announce the release of the second volume of the Economics of Sustainability, “The Dollars and Sense of Green Business,” made possible by support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. This publication is a continuation of Partners’ sustainability agenda and explores the innovation and leadership of 22 chambers of commerce from around the country—true champions of the green economy. To read more about Partners’ Economics of Sustainability initiative, click here.

As part of the Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards, the Institute for Sustainable Development and Partners for Livable Communities are collaborating in recognizing a Green Plus Chamber of Commerce. “Over the past year, Partners for Livable Communities has explored how business leaders, faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of regional economies and local quality of life, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic and social gain,” said Carly Grimm, Program Officer of Partners for Livable Communities. Read more about Partners' Economics of Sustainability program.

The award will recognize chambers of commerce that have an exemplary track record in four categories

1. Regional Leadership: Creating a more sustainable region
2. Assisting their members in improving their triple bottom line
3. Making the Economic case for Sustainability
4. Leading by Example: Chambers that have made their own operations more sustainable

“Chambers of Commerce throughout the country are implementing green business programs, attracting clean industries, and creating green jobs; they are paving the way to the more sustainable and robust communities of the 21st century,” Grimm said. “Partners has now joined forces with the Institute for Sustainable Development to recognize the chamber employing the most innovative and effective green strategies through the Green Plus Chamber of the Year Award,” Grimm concluded.

See more info here.

This report showcases the innovation and leadership of 22 chambers of commerce that when faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of their economies, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic and social gain. Click here to download the report.

Neal Pierce reports on Partners' release of the report– “Enterprise at Home–Chambers of Commerce as the New Players in Environmental Sustainability” that focuses on green/climate change initiatives of leading chambers spread from New England to southern California.

Governing magazine founder Peter Harkness writes about how local business and governmental entities are taking action on climate change issues in their communities.

Holyoke, MA

A grass-roots organization that promotes economic, social, and community development through food and agriculture projects.

Santa Rosa, CA

An alliance created by the Environmental Business Task Force to encourage environmentally responsible business practices in the local community.

A city that was completely transformed by the strong will of civic leaders and innovative urban planning strategies.

Entrepreneurial American Leadership Award

A community leader who has fought to preserve and revitalize the rich cultural past of Paterson, New Jersey.

This report highlights eleven chambers of commerce that when faced with the challenge of ensuring the future strength of their economies, have employed creative new agendas that not only help reverse the effects of environmental degradation but leverage the occasion for valuable economic gain. Click here to download the report.

In the fall of 2009, Partners for Livable Communities (Partners) received a grant from the Energy Foundation to challenge the common misconception that economic growth and environmental sustainability are fundamentally at odds with one another and to showcase innovative programs at the nexus of these agendas.

Read more about the report Partners produced that showcased chambers of commerce from around the country that have crafted green initiatives as part of local economic development efforts.

Read more about the event Partners hosted on Capitol Hill on October 6th, 2009 to explose Congressional offices to the great economic opportunity presented by embracing and promoting green business practices. Business leaders from chambers of commerce in eight small to mid-size cities around the U.S. made the case that green is good for business, that it is a common-sense economic strategy applicable to all industries.

In the fall of 2009, Partners for Livable Communities received a grant from the Energy Foundation to challenge the common misconception that economic growth and environmental sustainability are fundamentally at odds with one another and to showcase innovative programs at the nexus of these agendas.

Quarter Century of Service Award

For their dedication to promoting and protecting the "rural economy, natural resources, history and beauty" in the Piedmont Region of Virginia.

Entrepreneurial American Community Award

For their role in strengthening Denver’s public elementary schools and their surrounding neighborhoods by designing new multi-dimensional school playgrounds.

Founders Award for Civic Leadership

Senior Fellow of the World Wildlife Fund, for his continued dedication and passion in support of conservation of our country’s natural resources and in promoting access to clean water in the developing world.

Bridge Builders Award

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and California Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez for collaborating across party lines to enact a bipartisan environmental agenda that disregarded the political maneuvering and biased criticism that often stalls progress and that will ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state.