Grand Valley State University’s downtown campus will be even greener tomorrow, July 23, with a full day of GreenTown, brought to town by Seven Generations Ahead and a5 inc.
The idea, according to a5’s Jill Armstrong, is to bring people together to talk about common concerns and sustainable goals. “Green jobs, the new economy and a sustainable future” is the theme.
Only good can come from architects, engineers, facilities managers, mayors, interior designers, landscape architects and a host of municipal representatives gathered in one spot to talk about sustainability and achieving green goals. Armstrong said you might be able to find a supplier you never heard of or talk to someone from a different town with your same job title.
On the eve of the full-day of sessions planned for Thursday, Armstrong said she expects about 225 people plus some walk-ins. The size of the group is conducive to intimate conversations.
In a pre-conference session today, GVSU’s Director of Sustainability Norm Christopher outlined some of the university’s sustainable progress. Nineteen percent of GVSU’s square footage is now LEED certified out of 5 million total square footage. GVSU has plans for five more LEED buildings. Fifteen percent of students have taken sustainable courses and 10 percent of all students are doing projects related to sustainability in the community. He noted high school students flock to colleges with sustainable initiatives.
“Sustainability is not going away,” Christopher said.
Christopher and Michelle Dyer, vice president of Second Nature, mentioned a couple of worthwhile organizations with Web sites full of information. Second Nature’s mission is to support senior college and university leaders to accelerate movement toward a sustainable future.
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is an effort to address global warming with institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate research and educational efforts to restabilize the earth’s climate. Leadership starts at the top with presidents signing commitments pledging to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions on their campus over time.
Clean Air Cool Planet is a leading organization dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global warming. The organization partners with companies, campuses and communities to help reduce their carbon emissions.
The star of the show tomorrow is Bob Dixson, mayor of the city of Greensburg, Kansas. His town of 300 was destroyed by a tornado and then transformed as the ultimate green town with renewable energy, alternative transportation, a new walkable downtown and economic and social equality for all.
Armstrong describes Dixson as a 6’7” version of Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell.
MiBiz is the media sponsor for GreenTown.
– By Karen Gentry, kgentry@mibiz.com, (616) 726-6909
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