those crazy folks in the peoples republic of berkeley

[Guest guest]

Berkeley, Calif., goes all crazy with the green ideas

 

Six months ago, voters in Berkeley, Calif., overwhelmingly approved a measure to

reduce the city's emissions 80 percent by 2050. Now proposals have been laid out

to accomplish that goal, including requiring builders to use green materials,

making landlords provide free bus passes to tenants, informing residents of the

size of their carbon footprint, and helping sun-ergize every roof in the city.

Berkeleyites' personal behavior will also be held to a high standard, with

incentives provided for walking to work, buying local food, saving energy, and

BYOB (bag, that is). Some concerns have risen that residents may have

overestimated their own hippie-ness: folks who will gladly welcome a car-share

vehicle on every block may balk at being required to upgrade appliances and

install more-efficient insulation at their own expense. But Mayor Tom Bates

isn't concerned: " People are willing to make these lifestyle changes, and the

cumulative effort will add up. It's not rocket science. We can do this. "

 

 

 

 

straight to the source: San Francisco Chronicle, Carolyn Jones, 24 May 2007

 

 

straight to the source: Alameda Times-Star, Kristin Bender, 17 May 2007

 

“The Earth is not dying - she is being killed. And those who are killing her

have names and addresses.†— Utah Phillips