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Cities play a unique role in implementing sustainability initiatives. According to some analysts the best hope for a sustainable global community is in the climate change actions that local municipalities implement – it is where most of the people of the world now live, it is where most of the greenhouse gases are emitted, and it is where citizens can effect change most directly both in changing their own personal habits but also in influencing the actions of their local government.
For an update on HRM initiatives in this area please visit HRM’s Sustainability Environment Management Office website: http://www.halifax.ca/environment/semo.html.
The Transportation Demand Management program is working on developing sustainable transportation options (http://halifax.ca/TDM/). I currently sit on two council committees that are actively working on sustainability issues – the Active Transportation Advisory Committee (http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/ActiveTransportationAdvisoryCommittee.htm) and the Energy and Underground Services Committee (http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/EnergyUndergroundServicesCommittee.html.
I have worked to introduce restrictions on the availability of bottled water in HRM offices and facilities and on promoting community gardens (http://www.halifax.ca/CRCA/CommunityEngagement/CommunityGardens.html).
In October 2009, I was a participant in the Swedish Sustainability Tour which was an amazing learning opportunity.
An overview of the trip was presented to Regional Council (http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/091208ca1121.pdf .
I look forward to hearing your ideas for a more sustainable HRM.
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