More than Green Jobs | Philly

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Monday, February 16, 2009

More than Green Jobs

OK, I admit it - I haven't kept up with City Paper lately as religiously as I once did, back in the days before they made the bizarre decision to eliminate the position of political cartoonist. Other than that, I really have no excuse for not pointing you sooner to this cover story a couple weeks back from Paul Glover, Prepare for the Best: A guide to surviving - and thriving in - Philadelphia's new green future.

You may recognize Glover either as the founder of Philadelphia Orchard Project, which Ronnie Polaneczky discussed in this post, or as the proprietor of Green Jobs Philly, the value-packed local resource that everyone who's down with the "Green" thing is reading. Some people, in fact, have been known start hyperventilating when the new issue comes out. Well, guess what - The New Green Jobs Philly (#9) is here! Whew - I need to sit down!

But as valuable as that is, be sure to read the City Paper article mentioned above for some clear-eyed, boots-on-the-ground recommendations for how Philly can maximize its potential as a sustainable city. I especially like Paul's point that the city is teeming with growing space for produce, space that we should start using as of yesterday (and of course the Orchard Project is involved in making that happen). Personally, I would have included some ways to wean the local populace off of a diet that continues to do more damage to the environment (global and regional) than almost anything else we do, but hey, this is no time for quibbles. Glover is looking at the big picture and deriving quick-bitten points full of pithy common sense. Let's hope the Mayor's Office is paying attention while they get ready to roll out the big Sustainability Plan!

Posted by Vance Lehmkuhl @ 11:25 PM Permalink | File Under: Policy | | Trends | Post a comment

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About Earth to Philly

Earth to Philly is a weblog focusing on earth-conscious technology, trends and ideas, from a Daily News perspective. We look at the "green" aspects of your home, business, food, transportation, style, policy, gadgets and artwork. If you have a Philly-related story, let us know about it!

The experts at Philadelphia's Energy Coordinating Agency answer your energy questions in our regular feature Stay Warm, Stay Green. Send in your question or questions to energy@phillynews.com.

Look for Jenice Armstrong to supply tips on green living as well as occasional columns on the subject of Green. She also blogs at Hey Jen.

Becky Batcha stays tuned for the here-and-now practical side of conservation, alternative energy, organic foods, etc. - stuff you can do at home now. Plus odds and ends.

Flavia Colgan has been telling Citizen Hunters how to "go green" since back before everyone got tired of that phrase. She brings her knowledge of the worlds of politics and of entertainment to the table and point you to the most useful ideas she finds on the Web.

Laurie Conrad recycles from her ever-growing e-mailbag to pass along the latest travel deals, fashion statements, household strategies, gadgets, cool local events and other nuggets of interest to those who appreciate a clean, green world.

Vance Lehmkuhl looks at topics like eco-conscious eating, public transportation and fuel-efficient driving from his perspective as a vegetarian, a daily SEPTA bus rider and a hybrid driver, as well as noting the occasional wacky trend or product.

Ronnie Polaneczky sees the green movement through the eyes of her 12-year-old daughter, who calls her on every scrap of paper or glass bottle that Ronnie neglects to toss into the house recycling bins. Ronnie will blog about new or unexpected ways to go green. She also blogs at So, What Happened Was...

Sandra Shea and the DN editorial board opine on any green-related legislation or policy. And we'll pass along some of the opeds on the subject that people send us.

Jonathan Takiff will be blogging mainly about consumer electronics - those things that we love to use and that suck too much energy. He'll spotlight green-conscious gizmos made in a responsible fashion, both in terms of materials used and the energy it takes to run them.

Signe Wilkinson draws the comic strip Family Tree, which follows the Tree family as they try to live green in the face of nattering neighbors, plastic-wrapped consumer products, and the primal teenage urge to spend vast quantities of money on hair care products of dubious organic quality.

In addition to these updates from our newsroom bloggers, watch for an occasional feature, Dumpster Diver Dispatches, from Philadelphia's original "green" community of artists, the Dumpster Divers. You'll learn about creative ways to reuse and recycle while you reduce, and about the artists who are making little masterpieces from what others throw out.