The O.C. is going green!

Well maybe not the O.C. as you know it, we're talking Orange County, FL here…but even though we're far from California, we still have some pretty cool things going on.  This Tuesday I had the opportunity to attend the "Orange to Green Climate Change Summit" in Orlando.  There were speakers who shared some scary facts like: "the United States makes up only 5% of the worlds population, but uses 25% of its energy (and creates 25% of it's carbon footprint),"  and some who shared reassuring ones  like "state and local officials are actually listening to voters and making positive changes for the planet."   While I was there I learned some pretty interesting things about what the O.C. is doing to reduce its carbon foot print and help stop climate change. 

For starters, 40% of the county's vehicle fleet runs on alternative fuels including hybrids, hydrogen, and biofuels.  They have a 12 passenger bus and a handful of cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells and use absolutely NO petroleum.  Our fuel usage has been reduced by 1.5 million gallons a year.

We've started harnessing the methane gas from our landfill and using it as energy, instead of letting it be released into the atmosphere, saving tons of pollution!

The Mayor quadrupled the amount of money used for the protection of environmentally sensitive land, and spent $50 million protecting 7,000 acres, now called "Green Place."

We're investing in Solar Power, and installing reflective roofing on government buildings like the Sheriffs office and our Parks and Recreation Buildings.

We have a new "Energy Management Office" who retrofits lighting and mechanical systems for County Buildings.

All our new buildings will be LEED certified, starting with the new Medical Examiners Office, and a new Performing Arts Center and Arena.

We have a goal to reduce our emissions as a county by 40% by 2020.

One of the biggest messages the speakers were trying to get across during the summit was that although the federal government seems to ignore or deny the issue of climate change, your local and state governments won't.  They listen to the public, and your voice will be heard.  Write to your Mayor, talk to your commissioners, tell them that its time your county greened up!