Today's Columbus Dispatch published a major piece on efforts by Columbus city government to pursue a list of 20 major environmental goals. To Mayor Michael Coleman's credit, most of the initiatives were made voluntarily, not as the result of Federal or State pressure. Reporters Robert Vitale and Mark Ferenchik observe that "Columbus has made notable progress in the ensuing three years, if not the 'light years' leap that Coleman boasts." The biggest obstacle to progress seems to be getting Columbusites to recycle. An experiment in 2005 with using blue bags to separate recyclables from other trash only found 850 out of a possible 10,000 households taking part. The city has been much more successful with internal initiatives, such as recycling asphalt and purchasing cleaner or alternative-fuel vehicles.
The Ohio Republic is concerned with Ohio's ability to sustain itself in the use of natural resources for the long haul. We cannot expect overnight miracles, but the city of Columbus is setting a good example for the State. Carry on, Mayor Coleman!
1 comment:
Cleveland is doing a lot too. They hired a Sustainability Director a couple of years ago and the Cuyahoga Valley Initiative is a plan to re-develop the Cuyahoga River valley in a sustainable way-- restoration of natural habitat, zero waste industries, etc.
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