Director of Sustainability for Philadelphia Mark Alan Hughes presented a lecture on the city government's new plan for environmentally responsible change yesterday at the Chemistry Building.
Hughes elaborated the steps needed to become more sustainable through internal bureaucracy changes and current action items. "Mayor Nutter has challenged Philadelphia to become the greenest city in America, and many of us realize that this is the policy strategy challenge of this generation," said Hughes.
The Office of Sustainability is focusing on goals related to energy, infrastructure, resources, buildings and the economy. Examples of such goals include lowering the city's energy consumption by 15 percent by 2015 and deploying more green spaces. Hughes also mentioned legislation that would tie utility companies to the conservation movement.
The mayor's office is beginning this initiative with an enthusiastic staff striving for cross-sector partnerships. "The positive selection vibes of this theme attract people who are incredibly optimistic, forward-thinking and well-read," said Hughes.
While Hughes' staff is small, the broader structure of the environmental movement within city government includes a Sustainability Advisory Board, as well as working groups which record local carbon inventory and create plans for climate change.
This movement is a "leadership development exercise in city government," said Hughes. "There has always been a tension between reform and government, but the sustainable movement can re-partner the two so we can continue to achieve together."
Penn students were a minority in the attendees at this event, which was dominated by Environmental Protection Agency employees and other government officials.
College freshman Victor Galli was excited about the project but says more steps need to be taken. "We need more citywide urban design changes, such as making mass transit more inviting to tourists," he said.
Suraj Patel, a fifth-year senior in Engineering said, "I came to the discussion to learn more about Philadelphia's plans for sustainability. I'm planning to get involved in similar work when my job takes me to Chicago."
Joy Reynolds, a graduate student in the Master of Environmental Studies program, was particularly excited about an initiative in which every Philadelphian would be only a 10-minute walk away from healthy food.
"I just moved here, but I'm really proud to be in a city that is concerned about energy and food security," said Reynolds.
