Think Globally and Act Locally .........
Everyone has heard the Mantra --- but how does it, or should it, affect us in Shorewood ?
It is easy to say that we need clean air, clean water and less pollution. Unfortunately, it is even easier to say that the responsibility for the quality of our air and water lies in state, national or international action. After all, what kind of affect can a small village of some 13,000 people have on such a worldwide problem.
The answer is that Shorewood may be one of the best places to address environmental issues, for several reasons (not all inclusive) noted here:
1)We are small enough to be build a consensus in a much shorter time than larger communities.
2)Our smaller size allows us to be flexible --- to continue with those ideas that work, and discard the ones that don't.
3)Shorewood is big enough to test the viability of ideas and ensure they are practical on a large enough scale.
4)With our unique position geographically on Lake Michigan, and as a part of MMSD, and with our sections of antiquated sewer lines, we can have a larger impact on water quality than our physical size would belie.
5)The population of Shorewood is reportedly over represented by academia, scientists, engineers, physicians, and others who can bring a wealth of expertise and innovations in addressing the challenges of a Green Village.
6)Our population typically expresses itself as politically progressive, which would be needed to empower the political will necessary to enact change.
Our present Village Government is composed of the Village Board, and a number of panels and commissions, such as (just to name a few):
o Board of Appeals
o Board of Health
o Community Development Authority
o Design Review Board
o Park Commission
o Plan Commission
o Police Commission
I propose that a new commission, perhaps known as the Green Commission or Ecological Review Commission be created.
I also propose that this Commission have a very broad portfolio, to review all actions and proposals of departments, panels and other commissions, for the affect they will have on the environment.
An example of how this Commission could work, would be if DPW needs a new truck --- a review would be made of the types of trucks that would be suitable for the tasks the truck will be used for, and an analysis would be made of the impact each different type would have on the environment.
Maybe among the types of suitable trucks would be gasoline, diesel or bio-diesel fueled vehicles. A simplistic thought would be that the bio-diesel is the way to go, but perhaps there are other factors which are not so obvious, such as lack of sources for fuel. Or maybe the bio-diesel is an inferior engine that would need to be replaced sooner than a more conventional one, and therefore actually use more fossil fuel energy in the long term, when the replacement and salvage components of the equation are factored in.
Or maybe, bio-diesel is the best choice for protecting the air we breathe and having the least adverse affects on our atmosphere.
In any case, the Green Commission would ensure that Environmental Concerns are part of the equation.
What do you think ? Please e mail me with your comments and ideas.
