April 6, 2007 as seen in The Citizen

Who will lead Key West to adopting a new paradigm for sustainability?

by Jody Smith-Williams

It's time Key West became a model city of sustainability. Local communities across the country are enacting their own standards of energy efficiency, alternative fuel consumption and investment in clean energy sources. Key West already has an out-of-the-box reputation; why not put ourselves on the map as the city of Southernmost Sustainability?

There is much talk lately of seeking a "higher quality" tourist to visit the Keys — surely this desired tourist would value a destination which stands behind a commitment of conservation and sustainability. And what about the future we want to create for our children and grandchildren — do we want to leave them with a warming and polluted planet, rising sea levels and continued dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels? Citizens are calling for a new paradigm of sustainability in the Keys. This election year, will our leaders hear the call and make sustainability a top priority?

Fortunately, we don't have to look too far for guidance. The first annual Energy Summit on March 23 brought together 12 environmentalists, bureaucrats and politicians for the sole purpose of discussing what we can do here in the Keys to become more sustainable. Rob Patten, representing Sarasota County Environmental Services, explained how Sarasota County became one of the most progressive areas in the state on energy and sustainability issues. Patten shared the county's "road map to sustainability," a document which produces strong commitments and measurable objectives for greater sustainability in that county, saving serious dollars in the process. Patten generously offered to return to Key West to go through this road map step by step with city or county department managers. Let's not let this wonderful opportunity slip away.

Conducting an assessment of how the city currently uses and produces energy is an essential first step before any specific initiatives should be implemented. The non-profit organization ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability has created software for this purpose. For a yearly membership of only $600, we can conduct this assessment, which will give us baseline data for what our current emissions are, and by which we can measure progress as changes are made. The assessment also provides calculation of CO2 reductions, costs, and savings associated with specific actions. With this data we can enlist the generous support offered by Sarasota County to create and follow our own road map to sustainability.

Last year, Mayor Morgan McPherson signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which lists 12 specific initiatives that cities can adopt to achieve the goal of reducing global warming pollution to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, "by taking actions in our own operations and communities. ..." Have we implemented these initiatives in order to reach this goal? The mayor expressed interest in public and private incentives to encourage more green building. Surely we can do even more than this if we adopt and follow our own road map. Compact fluorescent bulbs in all city buildings? Biodiesel for city vehicles?

And what about our public utility providers? How do their policies, established by publicly elected board members, support a sustainable energy future? The Florida Keys Electric Co-op in the Upper Keys (FKEC) recently converted its vehicle fleet to biodiesel. It also offers "net metering," a program by which customers who generate their own power via renewable sources, such as solar or wind, can sell back into the grid at the same rate customers pay to buy power. This program is one of only a few in the state, and FKEC should be commended for taking the lead on this issue. By comparison, Keys Energy Services has no active net metering program. They should. At election time, we should elect Utility Board members who will encourage a similar net metering agreement (i.e., same buy-back rate) as what FKEC offers.

The way to sustainability will come through three main objectives suggested by Mr. Patten: Educate; set an example; and regulate if necessary. A comprehensive effort must include a culture shift, i.e., an understanding and support of the ethics behind these objectives from individuals, businesses and policy makers. The easiest way to establish this culture shift is for a political champion from within government to emerge as a spokesperson for sustainable living. Do we have such a champion? Is Mayor McPherson willing to step up as our champion for sustainability?

County Commissioner George Neugent and City Commissioner Clayton Lopez echoed these statements, touting "community buy-in" and both "top-down and bottom-up" approaches toward getting all the stakeholders involved. Will one of them become our champion?

There is much work to be done in order for Key West to become a sustainable city. This is an election year for some city officials and Utility Board members. Vote for a champion who will lead us to becoming a model sustainable city. Who will be our champion?

Jody Smith Williams is a member of the Sierra Club who organized the Sierra Club Energy Film Festival in Key West in conjunction with Green Living and Energy Education Expo in Marathon.