The Green Edition

Image from Dept of Energy Solar Decathlon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/solar_decathlon/6163559815/sizes/l/in/photostream/

On Monday, April 22^nd we celebrate Earth Day. It was nearly 43 years ago that Senator Gaylord Nelson called for an “environmental teach-in” in reaction to the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. Inspired by the era’s student anti-war movement, the 1970 teach-in would morph into an annual worldwide demonstration of support for environmental protection. It is with this in mind that we take a moment to look back at the environmental accomplishments we have achieved to date, while staying focused on the challenging issues we have yet to face. This month’s issue hits on our usual range of topics, but we’ve framed each discussion through the lens of sustainability. One of the enduring triumphs of the environmental movement has been its ability to inject elements of sustainability, preservation, and rehabilitation into many of our public policymaking decisions. This month, we look at how environmental sustainability has permeated our economic development strategies, altered the calculus on transportation investments, and dictated the way we approach greenhouse gas emissions reductions. In all of this, we see the recurring trend of big ideas and bigger aspirations. And of course, our constant refrain is: to effect change, you must start with a coherent vision.

Sincerely yours,

Cecilia V. Estolano | Jennifer LeSar | Katherine A. Perez-Estolano