Press Release:
More than 1,000 Members Join GreenSpot Program to Learn About Living and Working Greener
Columbus residents, business organizations and community groups have embraced GreenSpot, Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s program to educate and inspire Columbus residents to live and work greener. Launched by the mayor in July 2008, the web-based program has more than 1,000 members committed to making an impact on the health and future of Columbus. Residences, businesses, non-profit organizations and schools can obtain GreenSpot recognition by committing to environmentally-friendly choices in the areas of energy conservation, water conservation and waste reduction.
“GreenSpot offers information and practical steps concerned citizens can take to make a difference,” Coleman said. “We wanted to give people an opportunity to be recognized for their commitment to protect the environment. GreenSpot provides a framework for those who are just beginning and those who want to expand their commitment. We are thrilled with the enthusiasm the program has been met with since its inception and hope the positive momentum surrounding all Get Green Columbus programs continues to grow.”
Surly Girl Saloon on High Street was the program’s first GreenSpot and encourages other organizations to log-on and do the same. “The GreenSpot website is user-friendly and the ideas that are shared are encouraging,” said Surly Girl owner Elizabeth Lessner. “Visitors to the program’s website will learn that by changing some simple everyday routine behaviors, businesses and households can have an impact on driving positive environmental change in our city. We are hoping to set an example of ways our employees and patrons could implement similar changes in their homes or businesses.”
GreenSpot not only educates residents and provides a competitive advantage to businesses, it also provides real environmental benefits to Columbus. Some practical and easy to implement commitments suggested by the program include:
- Driving 10 miles less per week per household to save approximately 400 pounds of CO2 per year
- Turning down a household’s thermostat by 1 degree Fahrenheit in winter to save approximately 350 pounds of CO2 per year
- Replacing five 75-watt incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 600 pounds per year
The 850 households in central Ohio who have committed to these three steps could result in a reduction of nearly 400 tons of CO2 annually. Other communities are looking to GreenSpot as a guide for reaching out to their residents.
More information can be found online at www.ColumbusGreenSpot.org.