A Green Political Machine: Dems Aim For "Greenest" Convention
Monday, August 25, 2008
Denver, CO - The stage is set, security is in place - and so are the compost bins. The Democratic National Convention opens in Denver today, with party and city officials saying they're determined to make this convention the "greenest" in history.
Damon Jones, with the Democratic Convention Committee, says they've been working since last year to come up with a plan to prevent more than 80 percent of the convention-related trash from ending up in local landfills.
"Understanding traffic patterns and where food and waste would come from, so that we can design a system that would be the most efficient."
According to Jones, they're also working to lessen the carbon footprint of the convention, and encouraging delegates to get in on the act - even offering the best seats on the convention floor to delegations that have paid to offset all the carbon they emitted to travel to the Mile High City.
"Global warming is real, and it's something of concern to many voters out there. This is part of our party's commitment to take what we think is a very reasonable step."
While Jones admits a "perfectly green" convention is just not possible, he hopes they can set the bar a little higher for next time.
"When the 2012 convention rolls around, we'll ask, 'What did we do in 2008 that worked? What didn't we do, and how can we make it better?'"
In the meantime, bins for compost and recyclables are in place throughout the convention grounds. Free "loaner" bikes will also be available for visitors during convention week at seven locations around the city. Organizers for next week's Republican National Convention in Minnesota say their big party will also be eco-friendly.
get more stories like this via email
Health and Wellness
Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…
Social Issues
Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …
Social Issues
Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …
Environment
New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …
Social Issues
Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …
Social Issues
Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…