DATE: Thursday, February 26, 2009
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Commission
PHONE: 954-357-8053
Broward County was "green" long before it was fashionable. In fact, in many cases Broward County set the green standard and other counties and communities followed.
Broward was the first county in the country to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation.
The NatureScape Broward program became a model for counties across the United States seeking to use native plants and landscaping to conserve water and create natural habitats. The same applies to the County's Emerald Awards community program to reward homeowners, businesses and local governments for their voluntary efforts in waste reduction, recycling, and improved operating practices.
Now, a new Web site has been created to put everything "green" in one easy to access Internet location.
"We need to expand upon those progressive, forward-thinking programs and policies that the Commission already has in place," said Broward County Mayor Stacy Ritter. "We're already leading by example, but we need to take it to the next level and involve, encourage and educate our entire community."
The Web site highlights initiatives in transportation, tourism, conservation, recycling, environmental preservation and education.
With the click of a keyboard you can type in www.broward.org/gogreen to view what Broward agencies are doing to advance the "go green" initiative. Individuals can use the Web site to access energy and water saving programs offered by the County. There are also tips on what residents and businesses can do to "go green."
"People are much more aware now than they've ever been of what 'going green' means and how important it is to reduce our carbon footprint as individuals and as a county. This Web site is a community resource that puts information in one location that's easy to find," said Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs, who initiated many of Broward's award-winning environmental programs and currently serves as chair of the Broward County Climate Change Task Force and vice chair of the Water Resources Task Force.
Broward County, the Florida Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and governments globally are engaged in the development of initiatives to reduce the impacts of climate change. On June 12, 2007, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Broward County and to support the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. This resolution establishes the Board's commitment to climate change protection and creates a framework to guide the planning and implementation of related measures. On June 25, 2008, the Florida Governor signed into law landmark energy/climate change legislation (House Bill 7135) that will put Florida in the forefront of climate change initiatives.
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