A New Shade of Green…and the City’s Sustainability Committee
“Sustainability is a condition of existence which enables the present generation of humans and other species to enjoy social wellbeing, a vibrant economy, and a healthy environment, and to experience fulfillment, beauty and joy, without compromising the ability of future generations of humans and other species to enjoy the same.”
By TOM PIVINSKI
-Guy Dauncey
Over the past two years, a group of Asbury Park citizens have been gathering to address the critical environmental issue of sustainability. Simply put, sustainability means providing for our social, economic and environmental needs today without compromising those same needs for future generations. In other words, they way we live now must be always mindful of the way others who follow after us will live…in a healthy, just, safe and efficient environment.
The Sustainability Committee is working to “link” the concepts of social, environmental and economic well being of the community to develop a sustainable vision and action plan for our City. They presented their ideas to the City Council at their December 5th meeting and were met with serious and enthusiastic support and encouragement. Here is a summary of what was presented…and hopefully it will become a catalyst for you to consider joining this important new step into our City’s future as we begin 2008.
Why is sustainability important to Asbury Park? We are a city on the rise and development and growth is all around us. Now is the time for our city to develop approaches that will lead to building healthier and more energy efficient buildings, be they for business, government or private use.
Now is the time to look into how we manage city waste and can reduce energy costs. Now is the time to develop more opportunities for a strong local economy. Now is the time to improve our resources – water quality, landscape, and greening the community.” Now is the time to spread the word that sustainability affects everyone in Asbury Park and so it supports opportunities for community involvement. There are many programs and initiatives in Asbury park that addresses the needs of people, environment and economy…but now is the time to link them together in a sustainable and effective way.
We are a rich town – people wise. No matter where we live in Asbury Park, there are individuals who are innovative, creative, practical, energetic, dedicated and in love with this great City by the Sea and who want only what is best for all its family of citizens. Here are some ideas that these talented people have begun to consider as a way of opening up our city to even greater directions: Energy, Design and Construction, A Walkable City, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, new City Ordinances governing “green” building standards, Youth Involvement at all school levels, Solid Waste and Recycling, Transportation, Arts/Culture/Heritage, Natural Areas for recreation and leisure.
The Sustainability Committee applied for and after considerable competition was awarded a grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to fund the committee’s efforts. This is a clear sign that others also regard Asbury Park as an important new example of how sustainability can become the norm and not the exception throughout our state and country.
The Committee worked with Donna Drewes a Community Planner of the Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey to apply for this grant and she will now take on the role of being the support person who will work with the Committee and steer them in the direction of making Asbury Park a sustainable community.
Over the course of the next few months, many of you may be approached by committee members to become involved in “working groups/task forces” of the Sustainability Committee’s work. These groups will focus on one of the many areas mentioned earlier and each one will then look into defining sustainability success for their working group, assessing what is already being done in Asbury Park, listing steps and actions to achieve success, and, lastly, identify resources, tools, and agencies and departments to put those steps into practice.
The committee recognizes that for their work to progress and succeed, they need the support of all our citizens ranging from the City Council, City Boards, City Agencies, City Departments, Volunteer Boards, Alliances, Community and Business Leadership, and citizens of every age and background. We are the wealth of Asbury Park – a wealth determined not by our financial resources but by our willingness to work together and to stand together today to make our future healthier, just, safe and efficient.
The Sustainability Committee founding members are: Michelle Knapik, Kerry Butch, Pam Lamberton, Russell Lewis, Matthew Berman, Terry Reidy (City Manager), Councilmen John Loffredo and James Keady and myself. For information about how you may become involved in small or large ways, please contact Tom Pivinski, the Chair of the Environment and Shade Tree Commission, at ESTCofAP@aol.com.
ECO-Tip: When you pray, move your feet. (African Proverb) Words alone won’t make the difference. We must put our actions into this important cause because, in fact, our very lives and those of our children depend on it.
Tom Pivinski is chairman of the Asbury Park Environment and Shade Tree Commission.
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