cityplanner.ca
Discussing big picture urban/city planning and design issues.
Jul 18, 2009
While out for a drive during the past week, I was passed by two SUVs with plastered with OMNI Television logos and a slogan which touted the “green” character of the vehicles.
With only one person driving each vehicle, even though they were heading the same direction, and the fuel economy being typically worse for larger vehicles, these vehicles could hardly be described as "green". The dominant colour wasn't green either; it was mostly shades of blue...
Many corporations, developers, and even government organizations continue to capitalize on "green" messaging for one particular aspect of their products, processes, or services, while not necessary ensuring that all other aspects are good for the environment too. "Green" can refer to energy efficiency, reduced waste, reduced water usage, recycled materials, and now, apparently SUVs.
This practice unfortunately weakens the meaning and effectiveness of what is truly "green", and makes it more difficult for consumers to tell what is honestly a better choice for the environment. Perhaps because the proliferation of "green" products has saturated the marketplace, Canadian Tire now sells "Blue Planet" light bulbs, batteries, cleaners and other related products.
A related issue is that there are few if any distinctions between how green something is. I can't recall ever seeing an ad for a "really green", "highly green", or "impressively green" building or subdivision design. Even the bottom tiers of "passably green" and "just barely green" are also "green", all lumped in together.
In the planning realm, not all "green" buildings are created equal, although the LEED Platinum-rated Dockside Green project is a pretty honest choice. As pointed out on the Dockside Green website, "... Synergy has achieved the highest rating in the world at the Platinum level in the category of new construction with 63 points scored out of a possible 70."
As a planner, if you have an opportunity to call a design firm or a developer on a proposal which might fit into the "just barely green" category, do call them on it. You are protecting your city's and your citizens' best interests (hopefully also your planet's best interests!), given the 60-year design life of many buildings means that they will be around for some time. You may as well be approving something that is good for the environment.
And if your policies or standards don't allow you to say "No" to weak proposals, update your policies and standards. If one developer can get away with a weakly "green" project for less money, their shareholders will thank them, and so will the many developers who construct future projects and follow the precedent that has been set.
Set your standards high, be truly "green", and take every opportunity you can to enhance the environmental standards you work with.
With only one person driving each vehicle, even though they were heading the same direction, and the fuel economy being typically worse for larger vehicles, these vehicles could hardly be described as "green". The dominant colour wasn't green either; it was mostly shades of blue...
Many corporations, developers, and even government organizations continue to capitalize on "green" messaging for one particular aspect of their products, processes, or services, while not necessary ensuring that all other aspects are good for the environment too. "Green" can refer to energy efficiency, reduced waste, reduced water usage, recycled materials, and now, apparently SUVs.
This practice unfortunately weakens the meaning and effectiveness of what is truly "green", and makes it more difficult for consumers to tell what is honestly a better choice for the environment. Perhaps because the proliferation of "green" products has saturated the marketplace, Canadian Tire now sells "Blue Planet" light bulbs, batteries, cleaners and other related products.
A related issue is that there are few if any distinctions between how green something is. I can't recall ever seeing an ad for a "really green", "highly green", or "impressively green" building or subdivision design. Even the bottom tiers of "passably green" and "just barely green" are also "green", all lumped in together.
In the planning realm, not all "green" buildings are created equal, although the LEED Platinum-rated Dockside Green project is a pretty honest choice. As pointed out on the Dockside Green website, "... Synergy has achieved the highest rating in the world at the Platinum level in the category of new construction with 63 points scored out of a possible 70."
As a planner, if you have an opportunity to call a design firm or a developer on a proposal which might fit into the "just barely green" category, do call them on it. You are protecting your city's and your citizens' best interests (hopefully also your planet's best interests!), given the 60-year design life of many buildings means that they will be around for some time. You may as well be approving something that is good for the environment.
And if your policies or standards don't allow you to say "No" to weak proposals, update your policies and standards. If one developer can get away with a weakly "green" project for less money, their shareholders will thank them, and so will the many developers who construct future projects and follow the precedent that has been set.
Set your standards high, be truly "green", and take every opportunity you can to enhance the environmental standards you work with.
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Contact Myron Belej, MCIP, AICP at myron@cityplanner.ca to:
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Learn more about 'How to Hire Myron'.
Contact Myron Belej, MCIP, AICP at myron@cityplanner.ca to:
- invite Myron to speak at a conference or event
- feature a version of this article in another publication
- inquire about Myron's consulting or coaching services
- request more information
Learn more about 'How to Hire Myron'.