Technology and the Environment

To kick off the New Year, I was thinking today about how we could do some positive things in the City of Sun Valley to improve our environmental image in the resort world. Right or wrong in the grading, the poor ranking the Sun Valley Resort has received the past two years from the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition has probably not helped the tourism business for the valley from the growing number of environmentally conscious travelers which we so heavily depend on in this highly competitive business.

The Sun Valley City Council began 2007 by passing a Resolution adopting the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. That was a big step for our City, but the remainder of the year showed little follow through. Our neighbor Hailey was very successful in preparing and implementing a climate protection plan as this story by Gary Stivers at SunValleyOnline shows. I am hoping Hailey’s leadership will rub off on us and others.

Our local economy is significantly tied to the climate – both in the winter and summer. The warmer it gets, the shorter the ski seasons are becoming, and the larger the forest fires are becoming, the harder they are to fight and the longer they last. Both have already had impacts on our tourist visits. Our major competitors are taking significant strides to do something about protecting the climate (see Vail, Aspen, Park City, Jackson Hole). Even the little ski area in Montana where I learned to ski as a kid, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, runs its operations on biodiesel. Our neighbor to the south, Nevada and in particular the tourist mecca of Las Vegas has been finding out that clean energy and sustainable development pays off as well, especially in down real estate markets, as this story tells. It’s time for action in Sun Valley, not more studies, talk, finger crossing, wishful thinking or denial.

Being involved in various technology businesses, I thought about the marriage of tech and the environment. In my research I came across a website/blog called “EcoGeek.” They have a great site with ideas, insight and links to a resource of practical information. As they say, “EcoGeek devotes its pages to exploring the symbiosis between nature and technology.”

A story EcoGeek did the other day titled “7 Technologies that will Save the Earth in 2008” caught my attention. It has some very practical ideas and thoughts that can help improve our lives while also making sure that we don’t mess up the Earth at the same time. Give it a look.

Hopefully, the City of Sun Valley has the political will necessary to do the right things to make certain our local economy is strong long into the future by ensuring that our environment is also strong.

Congratulations to Al Gore

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change brings home many happy thoughts today.

The best thought is the hope for the future of the planet as climate change awareness has been raised to a much higher level. I have thoughts about my Swedish mother and all the discussions we had about the various winners of Nobel Prizes when she was alive. I have thoughts of my father, an amazing biochemist who did his post-doctoral work with two Nobel Prize winners and was more than once nominated for a Nobel Prize himself. Had he lived a longer life many believe he would have gone back to Stockholm to receive one himself. And of course I have been thinking about my meeting with Vice President Gore this past January in Boise and the discussion we had about climate change.

All of us who choose to do public service for our community, no matter how large or small, end up being belittled by naysayers, bullies and skeptics. Al Gore has certainly stood up to his share of them. The bottom line, as the Idaho Blog “Left Side of the Moon” said so aptly today about those who think he doesn’t deserve it: “it’s…moot, doncha think?! ‘Cuz Al already has the prize!”

Yes he does. And the planet will be better for it. Thank you Al Gore!

Laurie David, founder of the Stop Global Warming Virtual March with Senator John McCain and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., reiterated a very important point in her blog yesterday: “The serious task of averting the worst impacts of global warming cannot be accomplished through voluntary measures and empty promises.” This is so true. I will continue to urge our City Council to take real actions if we are going to be serious about implementing the Climate Protection Agreement we signed in January.

Sun Valley’s New Recycling and Trash Ordinance Suspended

Today the Mayor suspended the City’s new trash hauling and recycling Ordinance #384 which was originally passed by the City Council on May 17, 2007 and then re-passed after a technicality due to publication delays on June 20, 2007. Implementation of parts of Ordinance 384 were to begin on October 1, 2007. Due to delays in getting background and educational information to the homeowners of Sun Valley, the Mayor felt it would be better to delay implementation for the time being.

A copy of his letter to Sun Valley residents explaining the situation is available by clicking here. Given the confusion I have heard from many of you, I believe the suspension is appropriate until an adequate explanation of the new program is developed and properly disseminated.

Green is the Color of Money

There are those special occasions in one’s life when you run across someone or something that really inspires you. This past January, during the Frank Church Conference in Boise which focused on global warming, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to run into two such people on the same day. The first was Vice President Al Gore. I wrote about that excellent experience in a previous blog which you can read by clicking here.

The other individual I had the great pleasure to meet that day was Gary Christensen. Gary is the highly successful owner of Christensen Corp., a commercial real estate development firm based in Boise. He built the new Banner Bank building in downtown Boise. I met Gary at a reception for Al Gore held in the Banner Bank building. Earlier that day Gary gave an excellent lecture entitled “Green is the Color of Money – Saving the Planet for Fun and Profit” at the Frank Church Conference.

The Banner Bank building was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certified status by the U.S. Green Building Council, the first in Idaho. Gary Christensen is a businessman who has figured out that developing “green” buildings is a money making proposition, in addition to something that is good for the environment. The Banner Bank building is making a 32% return on investment, uses 65% less electricity and 80% less water than comparable new commercial buildings. I was impressed with my tour of the building, especially the quality of the air circulation and ease of changing out tenants. Click here for an excellent profile on the Banner Bank project.

After understanding how building “green” can mean larger profits to the bottom line, I suspect we will be seeing these types of projects here in the Wood River Valley in the near future. There have been some excellent LEED residential projects completed in the valley and with the signing of the Climate Protection Agreement, I hope we see many more. It is nice to see developers not only making money, but making it in ways that benefit society as well.

Going Solar in Sun Valley

It’s a very small step, but a step in the right direction. This week we went solar in our home by starting to charge our cell phones, iPod’s, cameras, and PDA’s completely with energy from the sun.

 

We no longer have to plug any of these mobile devices into the electrical outlet in the wall. This little solar collector from Solio will charge the device in the same time it would take if plugged into the wall.

 

 

Combined with the compact florescent bulbs we have been converting to over the past couple of years, the lower thermostat setting, fewer lights on in the evenings, and fewer trips in the car, we are starting to do our part. As I said, these are all small steps, but if everyone takes a couple of them, we can’t help but leave this place a little better for the next generation.

 

Here is a link to some simple things we can all do to help slow down global warming:

 

            StopGlobalWarming.org – Action Items

 

And a link to some great gift ideas which can save energy:

 

            Gift Ideas to Save Energy

 

Next time: “Big Steps Going Solar in Sun Valley”

 

Global Warming – Sun Valley – Al Gore – Oscar

 

 

Most of the world knows the argument about global warming is over and the time for action is now. That is why the City Council of Sun Valley joined over 400 cities across America and signed on to the Climate Protection Agreement last month. We decided we must do what we can to help, not only because it is the right thing to do for future generations, but because global warming has a significant effect on our resort economy.

 

During his lecture to over 10,000 Idahoans last month in Boise, Vice President Al Gore applauded the City of Sun Valley for signing the agreement. Since then our neighbors Hailey and Bellevue have also signed on and showed their will to do something about the problem. Gore’s unending dedication and leadership on global warming is truly an inspiration to public servants and future leaders of tomorrow. We are seeing that rub off throughout the Wood River Valley.

 

When Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Film this evening, it confirmed once again the world recognizes this growing problem needs attention from all levels of government, individuals and industry throughout the world. Gore’s words in his Oscar acceptance speech summed it up nicely:

 

“My fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It’s not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource. Let’s renew it.”

 

Yes Al, we do need to get to work. We have the will in Sun Valley and we have started.

 

 

Al Gore Applauds Sun Valley for Endorsing Climate Protection Agreement

Last night, in front of 10,000 plus Idahoans at Boise State University, former Vice President Al Gore gave his wholehearted approval to the Idaho Cities of Sun Valley, Pocatello and Boise for signing the US Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.

 

The entire Sun Valley City staff, Council and Mayor deserve credit for stepping up to the plate for doing, as Gore said, “the moral, ethical and spiritually correct thing.” It has become obvious to a significant majority of the world, including many major industrial corporations, that global warming is having a serious discernable influence on the climate that affects all aspects of our lives.

 

I spent the day in Boise attending the 23^rd Annual Frank Church Conference on Public Affairs at BSU. This year’s daylong conference “Global Warming Beyond the Inconvenient Truth” covered discussions with international experts on policies and practices to consider in addressing the problem. It was highlighted by Gore’s two-hour speech and slide show.

 

Earlier in the evening I had the opportunity to discuss Sun Valley’s efforts with the Vice President.

 

 

 

 

Sun Valley City Council Meetings the Week of 1/15/07

This week we have three City Council meetings in Sun Valley, all at City Hall.

On Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 3:00 pm there is a Special Council Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss 2007 special work priorities for the City. This meeting will give the Council an opportunity to direct City staff on the most important work that needs to be accomplished in the coming year. My list of priorities for the coming year is viewable here. To see the Council agenda and packet for the 1-16-07 meeting click here.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 2:00 pm we have the first of our two regular monthly City Council meetings. This will be a work session to review and discuss several items including, signing on to the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and implementing a “Pay-as-You-Throw” waste reduction and mandatory recycling program. I am very pleased that finally have the Climate Protection Agreement on our agenda. To see the full agenda and Council packet for the 1-17-07 meeting click here.

On Thursday January 18, 2007 at 4:00 pm we have our normal Council business meeting. Along with regular business, we will consider adopting resolutions on the Climate Protection Agreement and the Wood River Legacy Project, something we discussed at our November 15, 2006 Council meeting. The Police Department is seeking approval to purchase a Segway for patrol use on the bike path and at special events. We will also consider proposed Findings on the Weyyakin Phase IV subdivision. To see the full agenda and Council packet for the 1-17-07 meeting click here.

You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.

Recent Sun Valley & Related Links for 12/3/06

I’m “borrowing” this idea for “Recent…Links…” as I think they can useful and perhaps interesting. From time to time, I will put up some recent links for all to chew on.

• I was impressed with the progress our neighbors reported at the “State of the Cities” breakfast on November 30, 2006. The Idaho Mountain Express covered it well in their 12-1-06 print and on-line editions.
• The Wood River Journal mentioned our blog in their November 29, 2006 print and on-line editions.
• The hungry in Idaho always need our help, but it seems even more urgent as the weather has turned bitterly cold. You can donate directly to the Idaho Food Bank.
• The environmental report on western ski areas has created national interest. Our own Craig Barry of the ERC was quoted here in Forbes and here on MSNBC.
• Jay Stevens of 4&20 blackbirds wrote an interesting and thought provoking analysis the other day titled “Not for the Takings” on the defeat of Prop 2 in Idaho for American Prospect’s on-line edition.
• My University of Montana Grizzlies continued their roll toward a 3^rdnational championship in NCAA Division I-AA football. Go Griz! Thank goodness there is no BCS in Division I-AA.
• Just when we thought we had made progress in ridding Idaho of Sempra, Leslie Bradshaw reminds us we still need to keep on top of the Legislature. Contact Blaine County Citizens for Clean Energy (BCCCE) at: bccce@yahoo.com
• The USGS gave an update on December 1st of the water resources evaluation currently underway on the upper Big Wood River and Silver Creek basins. It was an excellent meeting and they will post additional information on the local USGS website soon.
• I toured the Blaine County Jail with Sheriff Walt Femling on Friday. The County is going to vote on a bond issue for a new jail and consolidated dispatch center on the February 6, 2007 ballot.
• Patti and I are going to see Company of Fools version of “Bus Stop” next week in Hailey. Get your tickets and don’t miss this great opportunity, Dec. 13-31, 2006.