SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - October 8, 2010) - The U.S. Green Building Council, San Diego Chapter (USGBC-SD) is partnering with 350.org, a non-profit environmental organization, to encourage San Diegans to take part in a global day of action to celebrate climate solutions and cut their carbon emissions this year by 10 percent on October 10, 2010 -- "10.10.10."
With over 7,000 events taking place around the globe, the "10.10.10 Global Work Party" is expected to be one of the most widespread environmental action days in the world, bringing communities together from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
In addition to supporting the "10.10.10 Global Work Party," the USGBC-SD is committed to opposing ballot measures that threaten the environment, including Proposition 23, which would repeal California's clean energy and clean air laws. The ballot measure would also increase air pollution; threaten green building; and jeopardize California's economic growth, as well as hundreds of thousands of clean-tech jobs.
The U.S. Green Building Council is best known nationally for developing its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™. Locally, the USGBC-SD is dedicated to improving the quality of life in San Diego by transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.
"The Global Work Party provides an opportunity for San Diegans to take part in a worldwide movement to address the climate crisis right here in our neighborhoods," said Doug Kot, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council, San Diego Chapter. "Changing our behaviors at home and at work will have a cumulative impact on a global scale, as buildings account for approximately 40 percent of carbon emissions in the U.S."
The "10.10.10 Global Work Party" began as a grassroots effort to bring the carbon levels back to 350 "parts per million" in the atmosphere -- the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide, according to NASA scientist Dr. James Hansen.
More than 185 countries will participate in rallies around the world as part of the "10.10.10 Global Work Party" including 1,200 events in the U.S. across all 50 states and over 15 events in San Diego County.
The USGBC-SD is supporting many local "10.10.10 Global Work Party" activities and state legislation to help improve climate change, including:
- Preserving Cabrillo National Park's ecological environment;
- Biking through downtown San Diego and Point Loma to promote clean air and reducing emissions;
- Planting seeds and riding bikes with San Diego State University students to encourage the San Diego Bike Commuter program;
- Attending the "Energy Fair" at First Lutheran Church in downtown San Diego, which will feature a light bulb exchange, music, information booths and videos;
- Preserving Tecolote Canyon trail, improve community organic gardens in conjunction with University of San Diego staff and students;
- Participating in classes about zero carbon gardening and composting; and,
- Educating voters about the harmful effects of Proposition 23 at public events throughout San Diego County, as well as calling voters from the Sierra Club's phone bank.
The USGBC-SD opposes Proposition 23 on the November 2nd ballot because it:
- Repeals California's landmark clean energy and clean air law;
- Threatens green building jobs: Since 2005, California green jobs have grown 10 times faster than the statewide average. There are currently an estimated 500,000 green jobs in the state, 67,973 of which are in construction;
- Puts green building standards at risk: Proponents of Prop. 23 intentionally drafted the language to have broad and sweeping application. Any state law or regulation addressing green building could be threatened, including the first green building code in the nation, CALGreen;
- Threatens green building and clean tech investment: California has 12,000 clean tech companies and received $10.4 billion in venture capital investments between 2006 and 2010. If Prop. 23 passes it undermines these jobs and this investment in our community;
- Have your voice heard by voting in the November 2nd election.
"The '10.10.10 Global Work Party' is a great way to learn more about creative and sustainable solutions that can be easily implemented in our neighborhoods and at our work places," said Zach Pannier, president of the U.S. Green Building Council, San Diego Chapter. "From voting at the polls to enjoying a bike ride with friends, there are many things our region can do to help make our city better for future generations."
For more information about the "10.10.10 Global Work Parties" both locally and globally, visit www.350.org.
About the U.S. Green Building Council, San Diego Chapter
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization comprised of more than 19,000 organizations working to fulfill the USGBC's Vision of creating 'buildings and communities that will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.' Founded in 2003, the USGBC's San Diego Chapter has more than 600 members dedicated to transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. For more information, please visit www.usgbc-sd.org or call 858-357-3011.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Audrey Doherty/Jordan Cole
619-236-8397