Livable Communities
Livable Communities is a multidimensional program. One component is a focus on "walkable communities", which encompasses two facets. One facet relates to new developments due to the coming construction of FasTracks. The second facet relates to retaining existing neighborhood character through historic preservation techniques. Communities are feeling pressure due to development impacts. One source of pressure due to the coming construction of FasTracks with its inherent increase in density surrounding station stops. A second source of pressure on existing communities is neighborhood preservation.
- Aging in Community
- Energy and Water Conservation
- Healthy Eating/Active Living
- Slow Food/Growers
- Walkable Communities
- Neighborhood Preservation
Earth Day is April 22.
Here is a list of 15 practical actions you can take to lessen your impact on the environment, according to Climate Solutions, a non-profit organization based in the Northwestern United States. If your family did all of these, you could cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 15,000 pounds per year, but doing even a few of them will help improve our environment and quality of life.
15. Use a push mower instead of a power mower.
14. Buy food and other products with less packaging or reusable/recyclable packaging.
13. Replace your current washing machine with a low-energy, low-water-use machine, and wash clothes in cold water.
12. Turn down your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.
11. Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights.
10. Install a solar water-heater system to help provide hot water.
9. Recycle all your home's waste newsprint, cardboard, glass and metal.
8. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket.
7. Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows to plug air leaks.
6. Leave your car at home two days a week and walk, bike, carpool, or take transit to work.
5. Ask your utility company for a home energy audit to find out where it is energy inefficient.
4. Insulate your home, tune up your furnace and install energy-efficient showerheads.
3. Drive a fuel-efficient car rated at 32 mpg or more, or buy a new hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle that gets 50 to 70 mpg.
2. Tell your elected representatives that climate protection is important to you.
1. Learn more about climate protection and share the information with your family, friends and colleagues.
