The recent oil spill crisis in the Gulf Coast illustrates the need for our nation to aggressively move towards cleaner renewable energy resources. For the U.S. to successfully compete in the emerging green economy, cities must begin integrating the tenets of sustainability into there economic development growth strategies. With its Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Initiative, Cleveland has gone above and beyond to do just that.
Started in August 2009, the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initaitive is focused on transforming Cleveland’s economy into a sustainable economy and the city into a green city on a blue lake. During its first summit, the initiative convened over 700 local and global thought leaders in green technology and sustainability. After the three day summit, attendees developed a robust action plan to help the city begin its efforts towards revitilizing the local economy. Some of the recommendations included:
-Positioning Cleveland and Lake Erie as the center of the offshore wind industry in the U.S.
-Creating a Global Center for Sustainable Design and Manufacturing to help promote R&D between local businesses and universities.
-Develop new metrics to measure sustainability efforts.
-Raise $100 million for the development of a Regional Sustainability Development Fund that would invest and support green ventures.
While many of these recommendations may seem far reaching, they are exactly the type of bold ideas Cleveland will need to implement in order to successfully adapt and compete in the green economy of the 21st century.
Check out some of the links below to learn more about the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Initiative:
City of Cleveland: Sustainable Cleveland 2019
The Green City Blue Lake Blog
Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Ning Network
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