April 10, 2007
Dean is green, too
Karl Dean embraced the idea that Nashville should be a more environmentally responsible city while at last night’s Sylvan Park Neighborhood Association meeting. SPNA member and Richland Creek Watershed Alliance founder Monette Rebecca asked Dean what he planned to do to preserve the environment if elected as mayor.
Dean replied, “I’d like for the city to lead by example.” Echoing the green building emphasis that opponent David Briley has championed recently, Dean also said that he would like to make all of the city’s buildings more energy efficient. He specifically recommended conducting an audit of existing buildings to determine current energy efficiency and converting the city’s automobile fleet to biodiesel fuel.
Dean praised the development of the city’s network of greenways over the past several years and said that, as mayor, he would expand the system. He also said that he would like to expand recycling “to commercial areas and all over the county.” He said that Nashville is only capturing a “small amount of recyclable goods.” Dean also advocated for establishing an incentive program or a competition where schools would be encouraged to look for ways to conserve energy in exchange for keeping the money they save as part of their budgets.
![Rob Robinson](http://thinktrain.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/Rob.jpg")
Kat Coble said,
April 10, 2007 @ 7:53 am
At what point can we convince these politicians that recycling is NOT a green position as in most cases it causes more harm to the environment and burns more fossil fuels?
Pretty much anyone who talks about being green and then advances a blanket recycling program loses me, because it shows they aren’t necessarily researching true Green initiatives.
Catherine McTamaney said,
April 10, 2007 @ 7:55 am
The problem with presenting oneself as “just like the guys who came before me” is that it demonstrates a lack of original thinking. There were strengths in both Purcell & Bredesen’s administration, and there are strengths in David Briley’s environmental platform, but Dean is arguing that he’s going to be just like all three. His plan is to do exactly what Briley proposed two months ago… citywide recycling, increased greenspace, and green-incentives. The only way in which Dean has distinguished himself is by refusing to say that he’d support LEED certification, a point in which, I’m afraid, he’s aligning himself with the weaknesses of Purcell’s administration instead of its strengths.
Rob Robinson said,
April 10, 2007 @ 7:56 am
KC, anywhere you can steer me for learning more about this? I am all for conservation and environmental preservation, but admittedly I’m not very knowledgeable about specific practices. Thanks for the thoughts, too.
Sean Braisted said,
April 10, 2007 @ 8:07 am
Rob,
Penn and Teller’s Bullsh!t covered this topic. Essentially the argument being that the cost (both financially and ecologically) of driving garbage trucks, separating the materials, transforming the materials into usable products, etc…is more than the cost of just dumping the stuff with the rest of the trash.
I don’t know how good their argument is on that, but I suppose its worth exploring.
Rob Robinson said,
April 10, 2007 @ 8:34 am
Thanks, Sean. I’ve wondered myself, when rinsing out a plastic bottle to recycle it, whether I was wasting more water by doing that than the recycled bottle would justify. I’ll check out the link to hear another perspective, if nothing else, so thanks a bunch.
Rob Robinson said,
April 10, 2007 @ 8:39 am
**The problem with presenting oneself as “just like the guys who came before me” is that it demonstrates a lack of original thinking. There were strengths in both Purcell & Bredesen’s administration, and there are strengths in David Briley’s environmental platform, but Dean is arguing that he’s going to be just like all three.**
Katherine, I think you make a fair point. I have wondered at times when hearing Dean speak if he is running because he thinks he “should” run (or because people have convinced him that he should run). I get the sense that he is very practical and won’t overcommit the city, but I do wonder whether he is ready to share innovative ideas or just following what appears to be the consensus wisdom of other progressives. I’m hoping for more clarity here as the race continues.
Kat Coble said,
April 10, 2007 @ 9:55 am
As with most things on P&T:BS, they didn’t go into enough detail. this site has more overview on both the pros and the cons of recycling.
My current policy on trash is:
–use less within the home so that I create less trash, period.
–push for landfill reclamation whenever possible.
Rob Robinson said,
April 10, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Thanks, Kat. I’ll check these out. I like your strategy for creating less trash. I could stand to incorporate that notion.