A strategy by which communities seek economic development approaches that also benefit the local environment and quality of life. It is a framework under which communities can use resources efficiently, create efficient infrastructures, protect and enhance quality of life and create new businesses and jobs to strengthen their economies.
G uarantee a clean, green and safe community for us and the generations to come. Join the Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley and learn how you can enhance your own quality of life, contribute in making a better natural environment for the valley and help Hemet and San Jacinto create more businesses and jobs.
Sustainable or being “Green” is about changing the paradigm of our thinking. Being sustainable means being able to care for your environment for the sake of a better quality of life for you and your neighbors. It is about a long-term view of how our present actions affect future generations of the San Jacinto Valley.
Being sustainable is making sure we don't eradicate our natural resources, cause pollution in our cities and making sure that we keep our streets and neighborhoods safe and clean. BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT! By not doing something you become the cause of everything.
To understand how we humans affect our environment, here are some facts to ponder
ENERGY
The most significant driver of rising energy consumption for transportation is growing reliance on the private car. About one fourth of those cars are found on U.S. roads.
If the typical Chinese consumer used as much oil as the average American uses, China would require 90 million barrels per day—11 million more than the entire world produced each day in 2001.
Worldwatch Institute
In the San Jacinto Valley, we can start reducing our oil consumption by walking, taking public transportation, carpooling or riding the bike. If you feel we need more of these amenities in OUR city, help the Green Coalition by joining in its efforts to make city leaders know our needs.
If every car carried one more passenger during its daily commute, 32 million gallons of gasoline would be saved each day. –Natural Defense Council
POPULATION
Between 1850 and 1970, the number of people living on Earth more than tripled—yet the energy they consumed rose 12-fold. Today the planet adds 77 million people each year, the equivalent of 10 New York Cities.
Worldwatch Institute
The San Jacinto Valley’s population itself has doubled just in the last decade. Today, there are approximately over 100,000 residents in a 50 sq. mile area. As communities grow it is threatened by the effects of urban sprawl such as traffic, pollution, congested schools, increase in waste and as well as increase the use of resources, such as water, electricity, building materials. Our open spaces are threatened, It is important that citizens of the San Jacinto Valley be vigilant about growth and development in our area. Look at the big picture-- the entire valley-- not solely where you are located.
RECYCLING
Percentage of energy saved by using recycled instead of raw materials to manufacture:
40% glass, 40% newspaper, 60% steel, 70% plastics 95% aluminum (75% when recycled back into aluminum beverage cans)
Natural Resources Defense Council, Aluminum Association
In the San Jacinto Valley, it is important to learn how to recycle and avoid overfilling our landfill. If you need a recycling bin for cardboard, paper, plastic, cans and bottles, simply call up your city or Riverside county public works department and asked for a recycling bin. Otherwise contact the Green Coalition of the San Jacinto Valley for resources.
