TAMPA, Fla. (March 21, 2008) -- St. Patrick's Day may fall in March, but beginning April 7, everything will be coming up green at the University of South Florida.
USF will be hosting Sustain-A-Bull, a week-long series of events dedicated to promoting a greener lifestyle in the Tampa Bay area.
The events, which are free and open to the public, begin on April 7 and culminate with the Getting Green by Going Green Expo in the USF Sun Dome on April 12. USF is one of several sponsors for the expo, along with Tampa Electric Company, Lykes Brothers, Inc. and the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission.
The expo includes panel discussions and workshops ranging from making compost to water conservation. Michael Lokey, of Lokey Trucks and Isuzu of Tampa Bay, will display his bio-fuel-powered race car and demonstrate how to make bio-fuels.
Sharon Hanna-West, an MBA programs faculty member at the USF College of Business and one of the coordinators for the event, said the interest in the expo shows that environmental concerns are a priority for USF and the surrounding Tampa Bay community.
"One of the most important aspects is the connectivity between the university and the community," she said. "The amount of common passion and common cause is amazing. I think this is an idea, a cause that people believe in, and share in common."
The expo coincides with the annual Spring Plant Festival at the USF Botanical Gardens, also held April 12, from held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Spring Festival and plant sale is the largest fundraiser for the gardens. Free transportation will be available for festival patrons to travel to the expo and vice versa.
Kim Hutton, events coordinator for the gardens, said she thinks having the festival and the expo on the same day will be good for both events.
"We're just really happy about that because they can do both events," Hutton said. "And it will bring just the type of people we want - the green people."
Some of the festival's guests are sure to appeal to a green crowd at the Expo, said Botanical Gardens director, Laurie Walker.
"We do have the Hillsborough County Extension office and The Native Plant Society," Walker said. "You can't get much greener than that."
Some Sustain-A-Bull events during the week include: the Climate Roadshow Tour, featuring the World Wildlife Fund's chief climatologist, Lara Hansen; Climate Change and Health, World Health Day, featuring the documentary "Too Hot Not To Handle"; and From Green Homes to Green Museum, which includes presentations by students from Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Communities.
Hansen said the most difficult part of her job is trying to convince people how urgent the problem of climate change really is.
"People think there's time to wait and see what's going to happen but there isn't," Hansen said.
For more information on the expo and Sustain-A-Bull events for the week, please go to Going Green Tampa Bay's website at www.goinggreentampabay.com.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Renew Tampa Reception
Architects, green builders and historians will gather to share green preservation techniques. An opening reception will be held 7pm, Monday the 7th at the Tampa Museum of Art temporary location at Centro Espanol, 2306 N Howard Ave
Also at the Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory, 1403 N Howard Ave. from 9am-4pm on April 11th & 12th, and at 12:30pm on April 13th for a bus tour.
For more information contact www.renewtampa.com or 813-229-3411.
Also at the Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory, 1403 N Howard Ave. from 9am-4pm on April 11th & 12th, and at 12:30pm on April 13th for a bus tour.
For more information contact www.renewtampa.com or 813-229-3411.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What is Green?
Definition: The practice of (1) increasing the efficiency with which structures and their sites use energy, water, and materials, and (2) reducing the impact on human health and the environment through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and waste removal through the complete building life cycle.
Solar Rights Law
SOLAR RIGHTS LAW (Section 163.04, Florida Statute)
163.04 Energy devices based on renewable resources.--
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.
(2) No deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources from being installed on buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restrictions, covenants, or binding agreements. A property owner may not be denied permission to install solar collectors or other energy devices based on renewable resources by any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential dwellings not exceeding three stories in height. For purposes of this subsection, such entity may determine the specific location where solar collectors may be installed on the roof within an orientation to the south or within 45 degrees east or west of due south provided that such determination does not impair the effective operation of the solar collectors.
(3) In any litigation arising under the provisions of this section, the prevailing party shall be entitled to costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
(4) The legislative intent in enacting these provisions is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging the development and use of renewable resources in order to conserve and protect the value of land, buildings, and resources by preventing the adoption of measures which will have the ultimate effect, however unintended, of driving the costs of owning and operating commercial or residential property beyond the capacity of private owners to maintain. This section shall not apply to patio railings in condominiums, cooperatives, or apartments.
163.04 Energy devices based on renewable resources.--
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.
(2) No deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources from being installed on buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restrictions, covenants, or binding agreements. A property owner may not be denied permission to install solar collectors or other energy devices based on renewable resources by any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential dwellings not exceeding three stories in height. For purposes of this subsection, such entity may determine the specific location where solar collectors may be installed on the roof within an orientation to the south or within 45 degrees east or west of due south provided that such determination does not impair the effective operation of the solar collectors.
(3) In any litigation arising under the provisions of this section, the prevailing party shall be entitled to costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
(4) The legislative intent in enacting these provisions is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging the development and use of renewable resources in order to conserve and protect the value of land, buildings, and resources by preventing the adoption of measures which will have the ultimate effect, however unintended, of driving the costs of owning and operating commercial or residential property beyond the capacity of private owners to maintain. This section shall not apply to patio railings in condominiums, cooperatives, or apartments.
Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy & Climate Change
STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 07-128
Establishing the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change
WHEREAS, Florida has one of the nation’s fastest growing populations with an average
of 980 new residents arriving per day and approximately 84.6 million visitors per year;
and
WHEREAS, as the fourth most populous state, Florida ranks third nationally in total
energy consumption; and
WHEREAS, more than 70 percent of Florida’s electricity is generated by fossil fuels
which contribute to the state’s carbon emissions; and
WHEREAS, Florida is encouraging alternative energy generation to promote energy
diversity and reduce pollution; and
WHEREAS, with nearly 1,350 miles of coastline and a majority of citizens living near
that coastline, Florida is more vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather than
any other state; and
WHEREAS, the potential impacts of climate change could significantly impact Florida’s
businesses, public infrastructure and disturb the way of life enjoyed by millions of
Floridians; and
WHEREAS, global climate change is one of the most important issues facing Florida
this century; and
WHEREAS, the actions Florida takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in concert
with actions taken elsewhere in the United States and the world, could significantly
reduce the potential for adverse impacts in Florida; and
WHEREAS, Florida, together with international leaders and experts, is hosting the Serve
to Conserve Climate Change Summit on July 12 and 13, 2007 in Miami, Florida;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, in
obedience to my solemn constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, and pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, do hereby
promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
Section 1. I hereby create the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and
Climate Change to develop a comprehensive Energy and Climate Change Action Plan
that will fully achieve or surpass Executive Order targets for statewide greenhouse gas
reductions specified in Executive Order 07-127. Action Team members shall be
gubernatorial appointees representing diverse expertise and stakeholder interests
including, but not limited to, consumers, environment, business, industry, energy, state
and local government, and academia. The Action Team shall hold its first meeting within
30 days of appointment.
Section 2. I hereby order the preparation of the Florida Energy and Climate
Change Action Plan be guided by an evaluation of the possible consequences to Florida's
environment, economy, and society from global climate change. The Florida Energy and
Climate Change Action Plan shall include policy recommendations and necessary
changes to existing law. The Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan shall be
completed in two phases.
Phase I: By November 1, 2007, the Action Team shall issue recommendations
including any necessary legislative initiatives to address the following:
1. Strategies and mechanisms for the consolidation and coordination of
energy policy in Florida;
2. Additional greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies beyond those
directed in Executive Order 07-127 , as well as an overall blueprint for
development of actions;
3. Policies to enhance energy efficiency and conservation, including
statewide targets;
4. Market-based regulatory mechanisms, such as cap and trade programs, for
use in efficiently reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
5. Strategies to diversify Florida’s electric generation fuels to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and protect Florida’s consumers from fuel price
volatility;
6. Policies for emission reporting and registry that measure and document
emission reductions;
7. Strategies for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles;
8. Strategies for increasing the amount of renewable transportation fuels and
for reducing the carbon content of fuels, such as a low carbon fuel
standard;
9. Policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state and local
governments not addressed in Executive Order 07-126;
10. Policies to reward early emission reductions in advance of statewide or
national greenhouse gas regulatory programs; and
11. Other policies for efficiently reducing emissions in Florida in conjunction
with, or independent of regional, national, or international agreements.
Phase II: By October 1, 2008, the Action Team shall issue recommendations
including any necessary legislative initiatives to address the following:
1. Adaptation strategies to combat adverse impacts to society, public health,
the economy, and natural communities in Florida;
2. Policies to reduce the increases in greenhouse gas emissions from new
growth;
3. Carbon capture and storage technologies;
4. Land use and management policies that improve the long-term storage of
carbon in Florida’s biomass;
5. Strategic investments and public-private partnerships in Florida to spur
economic development around climate-friendly industries and economic
activity that reduces emissions in Florida; and
6. Strategies and mechanisms for the long-term coordination of Florida’s
public policy in the areas of economic development, university-based
research and technology development, energy, environmental protection,
natural resource management, growth management, transportation, and
other areas as needed to assure a future of prosperity for Floridians in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Section 3. The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection shall
direct the professional staffing and assistance required by the Action Team in completing
the Florida Energy and Climate Action Plan. The Department of Environmental
Protection, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation
shall provide staff and consultants, as required by the Secretary of the Department of
Environmental Protection. The Public Service Commission and the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission are requested to provide assistance as required by the
Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Section 4. Action Team members shall not be compensated for their services or
reimbursed for travel or per diem expenses. Public officers and employees shall be
reimbursed by their respective agencies in accordance with chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
Section 5. Public access to records generated by the Action Team and any
technical advisory committees deemed necessary in furtherance of this order shall be
governed by the Public Records Laws of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. All meetings of
the Action Team shall be governed by the Open Meetings Laws of Chapter 286, Florida
Statutes.
Section 6. The Department of Environmental Protection shall provide
administrative support necessary to implement the provisions of this Executive Order.
All state agencies under the direction of the Governor are hereby directed, and all other
state agencies are hereby requested to assist those carrying out the directions in this
Executive Order.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and have caused the
Great Seal of the State of Florida to be
affixed at Miami this 13th day of July, 2007.
_________________________________
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
________________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 07-128
Establishing the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change
WHEREAS, Florida has one of the nation’s fastest growing populations with an average
of 980 new residents arriving per day and approximately 84.6 million visitors per year;
and
WHEREAS, as the fourth most populous state, Florida ranks third nationally in total
energy consumption; and
WHEREAS, more than 70 percent of Florida’s electricity is generated by fossil fuels
which contribute to the state’s carbon emissions; and
WHEREAS, Florida is encouraging alternative energy generation to promote energy
diversity and reduce pollution; and
WHEREAS, with nearly 1,350 miles of coastline and a majority of citizens living near
that coastline, Florida is more vulnerable to rising ocean levels and violent weather than
any other state; and
WHEREAS, the potential impacts of climate change could significantly impact Florida’s
businesses, public infrastructure and disturb the way of life enjoyed by millions of
Floridians; and
WHEREAS, global climate change is one of the most important issues facing Florida
this century; and
WHEREAS, the actions Florida takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in concert
with actions taken elsewhere in the United States and the world, could significantly
reduce the potential for adverse impacts in Florida; and
WHEREAS, Florida, together with international leaders and experts, is hosting the Serve
to Conserve Climate Change Summit on July 12 and 13, 2007 in Miami, Florida;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, in
obedience to my solemn constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed, and pursuant to the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, do hereby
promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
Section 1. I hereby create the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and
Climate Change to develop a comprehensive Energy and Climate Change Action Plan
that will fully achieve or surpass Executive Order targets for statewide greenhouse gas
reductions specified in Executive Order 07-127. Action Team members shall be
gubernatorial appointees representing diverse expertise and stakeholder interests
including, but not limited to, consumers, environment, business, industry, energy, state
and local government, and academia. The Action Team shall hold its first meeting within
30 days of appointment.
Section 2. I hereby order the preparation of the Florida Energy and Climate
Change Action Plan be guided by an evaluation of the possible consequences to Florida's
environment, economy, and society from global climate change. The Florida Energy and
Climate Change Action Plan shall include policy recommendations and necessary
changes to existing law. The Florida Energy and Climate Change Action Plan shall be
completed in two phases.
Phase I: By November 1, 2007, the Action Team shall issue recommendations
including any necessary legislative initiatives to address the following:
1. Strategies and mechanisms for the consolidation and coordination of
energy policy in Florida;
2. Additional greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies beyond those
directed in Executive Order 07-127 , as well as an overall blueprint for
development of actions;
3. Policies to enhance energy efficiency and conservation, including
statewide targets;
4. Market-based regulatory mechanisms, such as cap and trade programs, for
use in efficiently reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
5. Strategies to diversify Florida’s electric generation fuels to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and protect Florida’s consumers from fuel price
volatility;
6. Policies for emission reporting and registry that measure and document
emission reductions;
7. Strategies for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles;
8. Strategies for increasing the amount of renewable transportation fuels and
for reducing the carbon content of fuels, such as a low carbon fuel
standard;
9. Policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from state and local
governments not addressed in Executive Order 07-126;
10. Policies to reward early emission reductions in advance of statewide or
national greenhouse gas regulatory programs; and
11. Other policies for efficiently reducing emissions in Florida in conjunction
with, or independent of regional, national, or international agreements.
Phase II: By October 1, 2008, the Action Team shall issue recommendations
including any necessary legislative initiatives to address the following:
1. Adaptation strategies to combat adverse impacts to society, public health,
the economy, and natural communities in Florida;
2. Policies to reduce the increases in greenhouse gas emissions from new
growth;
3. Carbon capture and storage technologies;
4. Land use and management policies that improve the long-term storage of
carbon in Florida’s biomass;
5. Strategic investments and public-private partnerships in Florida to spur
economic development around climate-friendly industries and economic
activity that reduces emissions in Florida; and
6. Strategies and mechanisms for the long-term coordination of Florida’s
public policy in the areas of economic development, university-based
research and technology development, energy, environmental protection,
natural resource management, growth management, transportation, and
other areas as needed to assure a future of prosperity for Floridians in
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Section 3. The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection shall
direct the professional staffing and assistance required by the Action Team in completing
the Florida Energy and Climate Action Plan. The Department of Environmental
Protection, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Transportation
shall provide staff and consultants, as required by the Secretary of the Department of
Environmental Protection. The Public Service Commission and the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission are requested to provide assistance as required by the
Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Section 4. Action Team members shall not be compensated for their services or
reimbursed for travel or per diem expenses. Public officers and employees shall be
reimbursed by their respective agencies in accordance with chapter 112, Florida Statutes.
Section 5. Public access to records generated by the Action Team and any
technical advisory committees deemed necessary in furtherance of this order shall be
governed by the Public Records Laws of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. All meetings of
the Action Team shall be governed by the Open Meetings Laws of Chapter 286, Florida
Statutes.
Section 6. The Department of Environmental Protection shall provide
administrative support necessary to implement the provisions of this Executive Order.
All state agencies under the direction of the Governor are hereby directed, and all other
state agencies are hereby requested to assist those carrying out the directions in this
Executive Order.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have
hereunto set my hand and have caused the
Great Seal of the State of Florida to be
affixed at Miami this 13th day of July, 2007.
_________________________________
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
________________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
USF Sustainability Expo- April 2008
I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to
participate in our sustainability EXPO taking place on Saturday, April
12, 2008. Please visit www.goinggreentampabay.com for information
about
this exciting event.
The USF Sustainability Partners group has teamed up with members of
the
Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission and Tampa's Urban
Charrette to develop a series of green events for April 2008 under a
"Going Green Tampa Bay" umbrella (www.goinggreentampabay.com). We
hope
to mobilize the entire USF community to participate in and contribute
to
events that showcase our research, teaching and outreach activities
which address and promote sustainable healthy communities.
Activities will occur on the USF campus and in downtown Tampa, and
will
include workshops, lectures, competitions, movies, and an extensive
Green Expo. At USF, events that are free and open to the public will
be
hosted by the various colleges throughout the Tampa campus under the
name "Sustain-A-Bull ...getting green by going green" and will go from
April 7th to April 11th and culminate in a Green Expo at the USF Sun
Dome on Saturday, April 12th. The Green Expo will showcase 150
vendors/NGOs/governmental organizations, invited speakers, workshops,
student and faculty poster sessions, and student lead competitions
that
raise awareness and encourage action towards a more sustainable Tampa
Bay. It will be a carbon neutral event. The Expo coincides with the
USF
Botanical Gardens Spring sale and shuttle service will be provided to
transport patrons between the two locations. The Urban Charrette is a
Tampa based NGO consisting of local design professionals and community
leaders who advocate for a sustainable design driven metropolis. They
will continue with more activities in downtown Tampa from April 12
through April 22, 2008, which is Earth Day.
We welcome your participation as a sponsor, exhibitor, workshop
facilitator and/or guest. Please let me know how I can help. We all
look
forward to seeing you at the EXPO!
Best regards,
Sharon Hanna-West, JD
Exide Distinguished Lecturer of Ethics and Sustainability
Department of Management
University of South Florida
College of Business Administration
4202 East Fowler Avenue, BSN 3403
Tampa, Fl. 33620-5500
Office: (813) 974-6893
Cell: (813) 390-5040
Fax: (813) 974-1734
www.coba.usf.edu/hannawest/
participate in our sustainability EXPO taking place on Saturday, April
12, 2008. Please visit www.goinggreentampabay.com for information
about
this exciting event.
The USF Sustainability Partners group has teamed up with members of
the
Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission and Tampa's Urban
Charrette to develop a series of green events for April 2008 under a
"Going Green Tampa Bay" umbrella (www.goinggreentampabay.com). We
hope
to mobilize the entire USF community to participate in and contribute
to
events that showcase our research, teaching and outreach activities
which address and promote sustainable healthy communities.
Activities will occur on the USF campus and in downtown Tampa, and
will
include workshops, lectures, competitions, movies, and an extensive
Green Expo. At USF, events that are free and open to the public will
be
hosted by the various colleges throughout the Tampa campus under the
name "Sustain-A-Bull ...getting green by going green" and will go from
April 7th to April 11th and culminate in a Green Expo at the USF Sun
Dome on Saturday, April 12th. The Green Expo will showcase 150
vendors/NGOs/governmental organizations, invited speakers, workshops,
student and faculty poster sessions, and student lead competitions
that
raise awareness and encourage action towards a more sustainable Tampa
Bay. It will be a carbon neutral event. The Expo coincides with the
USF
Botanical Gardens Spring sale and shuttle service will be provided to
transport patrons between the two locations. The Urban Charrette is a
Tampa based NGO consisting of local design professionals and community
leaders who advocate for a sustainable design driven metropolis. They
will continue with more activities in downtown Tampa from April 12
through April 22, 2008, which is Earth Day.
We welcome your participation as a sponsor, exhibitor, workshop
facilitator and/or guest. Please let me know how I can help. We all
look
forward to seeing you at the EXPO!
Best regards,
Sharon Hanna-West, JD
Exide Distinguished Lecturer of Ethics and Sustainability
Department of Management
University of South Florida
College of Business Administration
4202 East Fowler Avenue, BSN 3403
Tampa, Fl. 33620-5500
Office: (813) 974-6893
Cell: (813) 390-5040
Fax: (813) 974-1734
www.coba.usf.edu/hannawest/
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