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Building Resilient Communities

12/31/2012

2 Comments

 
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The use of the word green, to describe sustainable projects, events, products and communities has been so overused, that it has been rendered meaningless.  The same goes for the word sustainable. Not only are these two words overused, but they also can be defined in many ways, have different meanings and various applications. The problem is aggravated when these words are used to sell products and services - sometimes that may not be all together earth - friendly; another overused term.

With all of this talk about green and sustainable living, what is it that people really want? At the risk of subjecting another innocent word to overuse, I would suggest that what people really want are resilient communities - places that can take the stress of everyday day, as well as some big hits now and again and bounce back better than before.

Instead of thinking about the world in terms of green or sustainable, it may be time to think about what actually makes sense and will work environmentally and economically for the long term.

There are many ways to build a resilient community. The key is commitment. 

What enables a town to be resilient? It takes strong and intelligent leadership at the top, as well as active and responsible community members that are engaged with current and relevant issues. It takes metrics that measure economic payback  from environmentally – friendly projects. Having established, integrated groups that understand and support sustainability and resiliency from both an environmental as well as an economic perspective, is essential. Important groups are Green Drinks, US Green Building Council chapters, and certified Master Gardeners. Involvement from green businesses like home energy auditors and green electricity providers is key. Last but not least, is a mechanism for consistent and effective ways for town/city leadership and community members to communicate and work together to improve resiliency.

Sacramento’s Mayor Kevin Johnson understands the importance of green initiatives and is a leader in sustainability efforts taking place in California.

You can be a part of building a resilient community. Check out Green Drinks, US Green Building Council or the Master Gardener programs in your area. Or ask me how to get started on building a resilient community.

Daphne



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Connecticut Celebrates Urban Sustainability at the Fourth Annual Green Market Exposition

9/22/2012

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The Green Market Exposition is a celebration of urban sustainability and focuses on the green collar economy, green job resources, as well as being a celebration of "green" achievements that are going on in cities throughout Connecticut, and beyond.

This year's GME is scheduled for Thursday, October 25th, from 9:00am-4:00pm at City Hall Annex, Bridgeport, Connecticut. 



Schedule of Events:
9:00am
Green Market Exposition Exhibits Open

9:00am-10:00am
Networking and Socializing

Keynote Speaker
10:00am
Mayor Bill Finch

Featured Panels
11:00am
Microgrids and the Urban Energy Revolution
Moderator: Gil Kernan, CleanTech PMG 


Panelists:
Bob Araujo, Sikorsky Aircraft
Matthew Fairy, Pareto Energy
Joel Rinebold, Director, CT Center for Advanced Technology

12:00pm
Where are the Green Jobs & How Do I Get One?

1:00pm
Understanding the Implications of a Strong Local Food Infrastructure

2:00pm
The "Greening" of Corporate America

3:00pm
CT Green Building Council

Below are a few interviews from last year's event at City Hall Annex:
  • CTGBC/Bridgeport Neighborhood and Bridgeport's Green Home
  • School Garden Projects
  • Urban Farming
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • Helping to Reduce Energy Consumption in Municipalities
  • Local Green Business Owner, Gussie Bradford
  • Mayor Finch at the 2011 GME
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 CT's Premier Green-Living  & Family Festival - Sept. 15th & 16th, Taylor Farm Park, Norwalk

9/14/2012

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The 3rd Annual Live Green Connecticut! green-living & family festival is finally here!  Gates open this weekend for what is sure to be another terrific event.
 
Live Green Connecticut!
Taylor Farm Park
45 Calf Pasture Beach Road
Norwalk, Connecticut

Saturday, September 15th           10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday, September 16th              11:00am to 4:00pm

 
Top Ten Highlights and Reasons to attend Live Green Connecticut!:

  • Test Drive a Ford EV and Ford Will Buy You Lunch (Up to $15 Value) courtesy of Ford Go Further
  • Cool Kids Zone & Endless Children's Activities
  • Over 125 Exhibitors & Demonstrations and Shopping!
  • Live Music with 11 Bands
  • Tesla Display Featuring the Model S & Tesla Roadster
  • Special Guests including DEEP Commissioner Daniel Esty, State Senator Bob Duff, Mayor Moccia, Mayor Pavia
  • Experts to Answer Your Questions about Going Green & Saving Money and Green Jobs
  • Eco-Friendly Transportation Exhibit Including the Volt, LEAF, Mitsubishi MiEV, Electric Car Club and Info about Westport's  Solar/Train Station Project
  • Portable Sawmill Demonstrations
  • Food & Beverages featuring Bull's Head Market, Skinny Pines Pizza, The Stand and Island Cow Organic Ice Cream

Please visit LiveGreenCT.com , to learn more about this green-living and family festival, see exciting news and developments, and find out how to become an exhibitor. Check out our full schedule of events, including panels with sustainability experts, on our Schedule page.


About Live Green Connecticut!
Live Green Connecticut! will take place at Taylor Farm Park in Norwalk, Connecticut September 15th and 16th. Featured attractions and exhibits include the Ford Go Further Tour: test drive a Focus Electric and C-MAX Hybrid at LGCT! and Ford will buy you lunch! (up to $15 value) Enjoy local and organic food, Cool Kids’ Zone with endless activities, live music on the Main Stage, wind and solar displays, environmental and conservation organizations, and sustainability experts.  See alternative fuel vehicles including Tesla, Mitsubishi MiEV, Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF, landscape and garden centers, green careers and education, eco-art, eco-fashion, and fun and friendly atmosphere! Check out the schedule of events for more information about special guests, speakers and musical line-up. Keynote speaker is DEEP Commissioner Daniel Esty.

Sponsors and Community Partners: Live Green Connecticut!’s sponsors and partners include Xerox, Ford Go Further, SolarCity, Pareto Energy, Pitney Bowes, Energize Connecticut, Nestle Waters North America, E Magazine, CT Environmental Headlines, Natural Awakenings-Fairfield County Edition, The Green Living Guy,  Keep America Beautiful  Greenburbs, EarthGarage , Bikes Belong, Fairfield Green Food Guide , SoundWaters, and GreenTowns.

Live Green Connecticut! is a fun-filled two-day festival which will promote environmental education, business, non-profit organizations, green technology, recycling, conservation, health and wellness, climate protection and sustainable living.  Eco-friendly businesses will showcase their green and sustainable products and services. Individuals and families will come away with money saving tips, new ideas and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all.  Admission is free! Please visit: www.livegreenct.com.

Live Green Connecticut! Where Green Meets Mainstream!  LGCT! is a 501 (c) (3) public charity.
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Conscious Decisions Partners with North American Power

7/10/2012

10 Comments

 

Choose Wind

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Make a conscious decision to support renewable energy sources.
Choose American Wind. 
I did. 
Join me. 

And support clean energy nationwide.

Daphne


10 Comments

Live Green CT! September 15th & 16th, 2012: Where Green Meets Mainstream

6/19/2012

29 Comments

 
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The Third Annual Live Green Connecticut! green-living and family festival is scheduled for September 15th and 16th at Taylor Farm Park, located in Norwalk, Connecticut. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner, Daniel Esty will be the keynote speaker at this year’s festival.

Commissioner Esty is a strong proponent of environmental stewardship, interested in supporting and tapping into alternative and renewable energy sources and a great champion of sustainability.  We are delighted to have Commissioner Esty share his compelling message, leadership and vision for Connecticut’s sustainable future, Saturday, September 15th, at 11:00am.

Live Green Connecticut! the largest event of its kind in the state, is considered a major success within the green community and also throughout Connecticut, as a fun-filled, family destination.  Live Green Connecticut! provides environmental education, in a family-friendly, fun atmosphere, to people throughout Connecticut. It features non-profit organizations, small businesses, grassroots efforts, government agencies, green businesses and corporations, local and organic food, renewable energy, green technology, organic gardening, environmentalism, eco-transportation, children’s activities, live music, and fun for the whole family!

Live Green Connecticut! is proud to announce key sponsors including  the Ford Go Further Tour, E/The Environmental Magazine, The Green Living Guy, Earthgarage, CT Environmental Headlines, CT Green Building Council, Wheels for Wishes, Fairfield Green Drinks, Clean Air Cool Planet, Fairfield Green Food Guide and GreenTowns.

Please visit Live Green Connecticut! to learn more about this green-living and family festival, see exciting news and developments, and find out how to become an exhibitor.

About Live Green Connecticut!
Live Green Connecticut! will take place at Taylor Farm Park in Norwalk, Connecticut September 15th and 16th. Featured attractions and exhibits include local and organic food, marine ecology and nature center exhibits, wind and solar displays, hands-on kid’s activities, environmental and conservation organizations and speakers, alternative fuel vehicles including Tesla, Mitsubishi MiEV, Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, landscape and garden centers, green careers and education, eco-art, eco-fashion, live music, and fun and friendly atmosphere!

Live Green Connecticut! is a fun-filled two-day festival which will promote environmental education, business, non-profit organizations, green technology, recycling, conservation, health and wellness, climate protection and sustainable living.  Eco-friendly businesses will showcase their green and sustainable products and services. Individuals and families will come away with money saving tips, new ideas and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all.  Admission is free! Please visit: www.livegreenct.com. 

Live Green Connecticut! Where Green Meets Mainstream!  LGCT! is a 501 (c) (3) public charity.


for additional information, please contact:
Daphne Dixon
(203) 536-4695
[email protected]


29 Comments

Live Green Connecticut! Where Green Meets Mainstream

5/10/2012

6 Comments

 
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Please join us at Live Green CT! - a two-day family festival.

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Smaller Earth and Stamford Green Drinks Support Planting Trees

2/5/2012

7 Comments

 
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Thank you Smaller Earth for joining us at Stamford Green Drinks at Grand Restaurant and Lounge on Bank Street. Stamford Green Drinks meets the fourth Wednesday of every month. 

Check out the Stamford community on GreenTowns.

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Christmas is for the Birds

12/15/2011

9 Comments

 
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Courtesy, Daphne Dixon, Manhattan Beach
December 14th marks the beginning of the 112th annual Christmas Bird Count, a project of the Audubon Society. Data collected teaches us about the long-term health and status of the North American bird population and changes that have occurred over the last century. Some conclusions that have been drawn from this data is that some of America’s most popular birds have shown a large decrease in population and 217  rarer species are imperiled. Christmas Bird Counts occur throughout the country. To volunteer at a CBC near you visit CBC Count Date Search.



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Stream of Conscience

11/27/2011

6 Comments

 
Daphne Dixon interviewed for Stream of Conscience, a John Hartwell production.
6 Comments

Connecticut is Third State to Sign Paint Stewardship Law

6/14/2011

10 Comments

 
Connecticut Governor Signs Paint Stewardship LawThird U.S. State to Adopt Law Projected to Save Local Governments Millions June 7 –  Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy has signed into law the nation’s third program requiring paint manufacturers to safely manage leftover latex and oil-based paint from households and painting contractors. The law, Public Act 11-24, will increase opportunities for residents and contractors to recycle architectural paint, while saving significant costs for local agencies. The legislation was supported by the paint industry, and is the third law resulting from a multi-stakeholder negotiation facilitated by the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI). The first two laws passed in Oregon and California in 2009 and 2010, respectively. More than 609 million gallons of architectural paint are sold in the United States each year, 10 percent of which is estimated to remain unused. Underfunded municipal collection programs result in insufficient reuse, recycling, and improper disposal of leftover paint. “We look forward to building on our experience in Oregon and California to launch a program in Connecticut that not only works for the paint industry, but also meets the public’s need for convenience, efficiency, and cost effectiveness,” said Alison Keane, Vice President for the American Coatings Association (ACA). “The Product Stewardship Institute’s unique process of engaging both government and industry stakeholders and incorporating all interests into the solution helped us develop a state model that can be replicated across the country instead of having a patchwork of laws.” The new program in Connecticut, slated to begin implementation on or before July 1, 2013, will include the cost of safely managing leftover paint in the purchase price of new paint, and will set up an industry-led program to reduce paint waste, increase reuse and recycling, and safely dispose of remaining unusable paint. “As any homeowner in Connecticut knows, getting rid of unwanted paint is a difficult challenge,” said Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection. “With our new program, we will provide a convenient option for residents to safely recycle or dispose of unwanted paint by taking it to a participating retailer or household hazardous waste program.  Thanks to the cooperation of the paint industry, we will be able to increase our recycling, save money for municipalities and provide a valuable service to our citizens – all at no cost to state taxpayers.” “Local governments need help from product manufacturers to provide the level of convenience and customer service required to properly manage one of our most costly waste streams,” said Lori Vitagliano of the Connecticut Product Stewardship Council.  “This law would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of the paint industry and the perseverance of other stakeholders,” said Scott Cassel, PSI’s Executive Director. “Every decision was made through a painstaking consensus, and it will pay off in the form of millions of dollars of savings each year for Connecticut local governments, increased environmental benefits, and additional environmental jobs.” There are more than 60 state producer responsibility laws around the country that require product manufacturers to provide for the collection and recycling of electronics, mercury thermostats, fluorescent lamps, and other products that cause unintended environmental impacts if not properly managed. PSI continues to work with other states pursuing paint stewardship legislation as part of the continued implementation of the national multi-stakeholder agreement. 
About the Product Stewardship Institute: The Product Stewardship Institute, Inc. (PSI) is a national non-profit environmental institute with membership from 47 states, more than 200 local governments, and more than 75 businesses, organizations, universities, and non-U.S. governments. PSI establishes cooperative agreements to reduce the health and environmental impacts from consumer products. For more information: www.productstewardship.us. About the American Coatings Association: The American Coatings Association is a voluntary, nonprofit trade association working to advance the needs of the paint and coatings industry and the professionals who work in it. The organization represents paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, and technical professionals. ACA incorporated its 501(c)(3) PaintCare organization in 2009 to address the need for an industry-led product stewardship solution for unwanted, leftover post-consumer paint.  For more information: www.paintcare.org.About the Connecticut Product Stewardship Council: The Connecticut Product Stewardship Council is a group of local governments, regional councils of elected officials, state government, businesses, environmental advocacy groups, and concerned citizens who promote a "product stewardship", or "producer responsibility" system for financing the end of life management of certain waste streams in Connecticut. For more information:http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2708&q=447196&depNav_GID=1763

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    Daphne Dixon

    Daphne is an eco-entrepreneur/environmentalist who has been working closely with sustainability leaders, businesses, organizations, and community members to raise awareness about resilient communities and to engage people in green - living practices. In 2007, Daphne founded Conscious Decisions, an organization focused on educating the public on sustainable and eco-friendly living practices. She founded the annual Fairfield County Green Faire, the Fairfield County Green Coast Awards, and is co-founded the Green Market Exposition in Bridgeport. She is co-founder of Live Green Connecticut! a 501 (c) (3) public charity dedicated to environmental stewardship. Daphne is a committee member of the CT Green Building Council, SoundWaters, Sustainable Stamford, Wilton Go Green, Inc., Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration, and Fairfield's Citizens Emergency Response Team. Daphne is a certified Master Gardener and serves as an alternate on Fairfield's Zoning Board of Appeals board.  She is the host of Fairfield Green Drinks, Co-host of Stamford and Bridgeport Green Drinks, and involved with many regional, statewide and national sustainability initiatives. Daphne currently resides in Connecticut, but is a native Californian and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
    To find out how your community can become resilient, ask Daphne for a complimentary, easy to use, sustainability template.

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