Chattanooga Pulse

As a consumer, I’ve taken an interest in the changes on the shelves over the past couple of years. It started with one or maybe two brands, in modest packaging, and then grew into catchy items with familiar labels, like Clorox’s “Green Works.” It seems that America has found a new buzzword.

We hear about “green” all over television: the news, advertisements, reality shows. This type of publicity can lead to fad status, making it easier for people to write off green as a mere trend. To counteract this response, the idea of making better decisions for the environment needs to be approached from the community angle.

In 2006, Mayor Ron Littlefield signed the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging that the City of Chattanooga would lower carbon emissions and lessen impact on the environment. Chattanooga is one of more than 800 communities involved in this agreement. In February of this year, the city’s official Climate Action Plan was published. In addition to  “Energy Efficiency” and “Natural Resources,” the Plan features sections on “Healthy Communities” and “Education and Policies.”

A localized approach seems to be most effective when trying to build upon a community’s values. When people have reinforcement not only from the media but also from their neighbors, local businesses, schools, and churches, it creates a reassuring sense of togetherness. It might be hard for some to worry about the state of polar bears in the Arctic. But when choices are related directly to a person’s family and friends, the benefit is intrinsic.

“Community Awareness and Participation” is the first objective listed in the “Education and Policies” chapter. One of the potential actions is creating an “extensive environmental curriculum” so that the community can receive streamlined information about the best actions they can take for their city. Every place has its particular problems and different strengths. If there is effectual education and communication, citizens will know which actions to take, what resources they have to use, and how their decision will make a difference.

But, as we all know, talking is easy. It is how these things will actually come to pass that is the challenge. For this reason, the Chattanooga Green Committee has prioritized the need to have a permanent entity that will ensure action is being taken to achieve the goals of the plan. People have been talking about environmental issues for years—but it’s time for the city government to become involved and take responsibility for the welfare of its citizens and their home.

We have to recognize, however, that taking sustainable actions involves an ongoing cycle. Changes in lifestyle and culture come gradually. We can all be thankful that the city took its first big step by recognizing the need for a change. But now we need to consider what our first (or second or thirty-sixth) step will be. In the city’s plan, there is a list of the campaigns that will be prioritized in this first year: solutions to improving home-energy efficiency, infill development and higher housing densities, low-energy lighting alternatives, the local anti-idling ordinance, recycling, gasoline conservation, local and organic food sources, and water conservation.

All of these options are based on personal choice. If you start changing your behavior, those whom you live, work, and socialize with might catch on. As more people adopt certain routines, norms will start to shift.

Feeling inspired yet? The Green Committee already has 17 action teams waiting for volunteers. There is opportunity to be involved with each of the four aspects that make up the city’s plan. So whatever your skills or passion, you can make a contribution you can enjoy. Everyone has his or her own niche, the function of which is to serve the greater community. Find yours, and work from there. Whether or not you purchase “Green Works” or drive a hybrid, there are always paths to making a difference—just by the way we choose to live our lives.

The resources used for this article can be foundat www.chattanooga.gov/ChattanoogaGreen_ChattanoogaGreen.htm

Victoria Hurst is a proud resident of the Appalachian Mountains. She has recently graduated from Warren Wilson College with a B.A. in English: Creative Writing.