PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney, joined by Office of Sustainability Director Christine Knapp and community leaders, today released the second edition of Greenworks Review, the City’s annual sustainability report. With a focus on creativity and innovation, Mayor Kenney described the environmental successes of the past year and what’s in store for the year ahead.
“Greenworks Review captures the many ways Philadelphians are working towards achieving sustainability in our communities. For Philadelphia, sustainability is about the health of our environment and our bodies. It’s about equity and justice,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “In order to realize Greenworks, our vision for a more sustainable Philadelphia, we will continue to work collaboratively while making sure all of our communities are resilient to changes in our climate.”
Mayor Kenney described a few of the most notable actions from the City over the past year:
- Entering into a Power Purchase Agreement for solar energy
- Launching a heat equity project in Hunting Park in collaboration with community partners
- Winning the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge to scale local climate action
- Releasing CONNECT: Philadelphia’s Strategic Transportation Plan focusing on equity and access
- Creating the citywide Litter Index and Neighborhood Litter Control Plans
- Adopting new building codes to drive energy-efficiency improvements in new construction
“Greenworks Review highlights the many ways residents are taking action in their communities and beyond. It features information on how residents can get support from the City and how they can further sustainability in their communities.” said Christine Knapp, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability.
The magazine-style document highlights the creative ways residents address important social and environmental issues. It also includes how to get connected to green jobs, City resources, and more. Through storytelling, infographics, and interviews, Greenworks Review provides a snapshot of the City’s sustainability initiatives and the ways residents direct and support those initiatives.
Trash Academy, a group highlighted in Greenworks Review, is an example of the unique partnerships that can come about through collective action. Trash Academy is a group of youth, artists, activists, and residents working together to understand and address the issue of trash through creative means. They create games and design art installations as a form of advocacy. “We understand that not every neighborhood is impacted by trash in the same way. Therefore, residents must be at the forefront when setting priorities and finding solutions,” said Shari Hersh, Senior Project Manager at Mural Arts and founder of Restored Spaces.
“I define sustainability as a collective effort to protect our planet today, for generations to come,” said Gabriella Paez, Education and Community Development Coordinator at Esperanza. Protecting those future generations will take the work of neighbors: “Community outreach is so important because we are not only targeting the root issues in the neighborhood, but we are actively engaging residents in the change.”
The Office of Sustainability will be distributing the Greenworks Review to community groups and in various public areas, including Free Library branches. For a digital or print copy, visit www.phila.gov/green or email sustainability@phila.gov.
While the City is acting on climate change, Philadelphians can take play a role too. The City has put together Environment & Sustainability: City of Philadelphia Action Guides that include quick facts, ways residents can help, and other resources.
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Mayor to deliver remarks at Greenworks Review Magazine Launch & Community Celebration
Tonight, Tuesday January 22, 2019
5:00 PM – 7:00 p.m.; Mayor’s remarks at 5:30 p.m.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
101 S. Columbus Blvd.
About Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability (OOS) works with partners around the City to improve quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods, reduce the City’s carbon emissions, and prepare Philadelphia for a hotter, wetter future. OOS is responsible for implementing Greenworks Philadelphia, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan, which is made up of eight visions: accessible food and drinking water; healthy outdoor and indoor air; clean and efficient energy; climate-prepared and carbon-neutral communities; quality natural resources; accessible, affordable, and safe transportation; zero waste; and engaged students, stewards, and workers. The Energy Office, housed within OOS, is responsible for managing the municipal energy portfolio and its contribution towards carbon reductions. For more information, please visit https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-sustainability/.