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from the Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom…

This week in Copenhagen, representatives from nations around the world are debating the best measures to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The success of the Copenhagen talks is important as a measure of our collective commitment to tackling the causes and impacts of global climate change. But rather than wait for the deliberations in Copenhagen, it’s even more important that individual cities, states and nations show leadership in the fight against climate change through concrete actions and initiatives. 

Acting – not waiting or debating – is exactly what we’re doing in San Francisco this week with the introduction of an innovative new initiative aimed at fueling the next wave of green job creation in San Francisco. The San Francisco Sustainable Financing program will offer residential and commercial building owners access to affordable, city-sponsored financing for energy efficiency, solar and renewable energy projects, and water conservation improvements. The repayment obligation will be attached to the property, rather than the individual, and will be paid back through property taxes over the life of the financing. 

Read the rest of San Francisco Launches Sustainable Financing For Green Building Renovations

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Post tags: green architecture, green building program, green design, Mayor Gavin Newsom, public policy, San Francisco, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, sustainable financing program, Urban design

CALLING EVERYONE LOOKING TO GREEN THEIR CITY!

In less 4 hours, we’re going to be jumpstarting our LIVE conversation at City Hall with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and we want YOU to be there! This will be the exciting finale to our Green Talks series where we’ve been inviting you to discuss the hard-hitting green issues that matter most to you with the leaders that are changing the game. Mayor Newsom is at the top of the list of influential people spearheading environmetal awareness and he’ll be sharing his thoughts on the cutting edge eco initiatives he’s implemented in San Francisco that have made it one of the greenest cities in the U.S. There’s also been a huge amount of buzz about him being in the race to be California’s next governor, so you’re not going to want to miss this amazing opportunity to ask him YOUR questions.

BE THERE AT 12PM PST/3PM EST TODAY!

To encourage your participation, we’ll be selecting our favorite responses to win a FREE INHABITAT T-SHIRT and a Hymini wind-power charging device, so sign up for our green talk and submit your questions today!

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION >

SUBMIT A QUESTION TO WIN AN INHABITAT T-SHIRT! >

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Post tags: built environment, Gavin Newsom, green design, Green Talks, infrastructure, interview, public policy, sustainable design, Urban design, webcast

CALLING ALL SAN FRANCISCANS & everyone looking to green their city!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re going to be interviewing San Francisco mayor GAVIN NEWSOM TOMORROW at 12pm PST, and we’re inviting YOU to join in the conversation! Mayor Newsom has spearheaded an impressive amount of eco initiatives in San Francisco and he’s also a forerunner in the race to be California’s next governor, which makes this a CAN’T MISS opportunity to talk with him about greening your city and the future of the golden state. We want you to take part in our conversation and submit questions to us today. To encourage your participation, we’ll be selecting our favorite responses to win a FREE INHABITAT T-SHIRT and a Hymini wind-power charging device, so sign up for our green talk and submit your questions today!

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION >

SUBMIT A QUESTION TO WIN AN INHABITAT T-SHIRT! >

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Post tags: built environment, Gavin Newsom, green design, Green Talks, infrastructure, interview, public policy, sustainable design, Urban design, webcast

CALLING ALL SAN FRANCISCANS & those of you who want to green your cities!

We’re interviewing San Francisco mayor GAVIN NEWSOM next Wednesday the 28th at 12pm PST, and we’re inviting YOU to join us next for this live webcast conversation with the country’s greenest mayor! Join us to find out more about groundbreaking energy projects, mandatory composting, and how San Francisco got to be the greenest city in the U.S!

SIGN UP HERE TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION >

Read the rest of Join our Webcast With Mayor Gavin Newsom Next Wednesday at 12pm PST!

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Post tags: built environment, Gavin Newsom, green design, Green Talks, infrastructure, interview, public policy, sustainable design, webcast

San Francisco already diverts over 72% of its waste from landfills thanks to rigorous recycling efforts, and now the city is set to cut down on trash even more with the country’s first mandatory composting law, which took effect yesterday. Residents and businesses now have six weeks to start composting food waste, plant trimmings, and other items. Needless to say we’re thrilled by this initiative, and we invite everyone to join us as we chat with Mayor Gavin Newsom about it next Wednesday in our final Green Talks webcast!

Read the rest of San Francisco Implements Nation’s First Mandatory Composting Law

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Post tags: agriculture, compost, Gavin Newsom, green design, public policy, Recycling initiatives, San Francisco, sustainable design

The small Australian town of Bundanoon just set a new standard for sustainability by voting to do what no community has ever done before: ban bottled water! The measure was founded over concerns about the tremendous amount of resources used to extract, package, and transport bottled water, and it passed nearly unanimously in a town hall meeting. Will this be the beginning of a trend?

Read the rest of Australian Town Bans Bottled Water

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Post tags: australian town bans bottled water, bottled water ban, no more water bottles, public policy, Waste reduction

Today we’re interrupting our regular programming with message of utmost importance. Every Tuesday we present you with a number of transportation options that will improve the environment. From hybrid vehicles to bicycles, how we move from place to place has a dramatic impact on our world (today’s entry would have been awesome, trust us). But today there is no single choice more important for Americans than going out to vote. So use your car, motorcycle, bike, skateboard, or even (gasp) your legs, and grab a friend, your neighbor, or even a total stranger, and take them to vote. Think that your selected presidential candidate has it in the bag and don’t need to do anything about it? Think again!


Read the rest of Ride Together and Vote

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Post tags: 2008 election, bike to vote, environmental initiatives, public policy, Vote now, vote the election