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Moscow: Striving for Sustainability |
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What does sustainability mean to you? What does sustainability mean to our community? This conversation is taking place in local governments all over the United States. A sustainable Moscow will be more resilient to changes in the climate and the economy, while fostering strong community connections. Environmental, economic and social sustainability are inseparable. One example is our local Farmers’ Market. Economic sustainability is facilitated by spending money locally, on local and regional businesses, artisans and farmers. The diversity of the crowd attending our Farmers’ Market contributes to social sustainability via relationship-building and exposure to a variety of worldviews. Through that interaction, we are reminded that choices we make and actions we take affect individuals, our community and the planet. For example, locally-produced fruits and vegetables usually have a smaller carbon footprint than produce shipped from thousands of miles away, and the dollars spent on them are more likely to be reinvested locally.
The City of Moscow has shown a commitment to sustainability by joining ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. ICLEI is a membership organization of over 815 local governments. Moscow is joining the global community in working toward carbon reduction by becoming a member of ICLEI. ICLEI provides Clean Air and Climate Protection software and technical support to members. Part of my job as the Sustainability Intern for the City is to collect and enter data regarding Moscow’s energy consumption and waste production. When this step is completed, the City will set a logically derived carbon-reduction goal and take methodical steps to lower carbon emissions.
In future articles, I will continue to let you know what the City and community of Moscow are doing to increase our environmental, economic and social sustainability. Heather enjoys drinking coffee and going on walks with her family when not working towards sustainability and studying Landscape Architecture at the University of Idaho.
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