By Kathy Gottberg ( 11/1/09)

            The City of Palm Springs celebrated its Second Annual  “Your Sustainable City,” from October 19 to the 24^th. The weeklong event was a kick-off for many of the programs initiated by the new Sustainability Manager Michele Mician.  Mician took the position barely three months ago and managed to design a program, and to successfully create and complete a celebration for a city on the road to “go green.” 

          Early in the week, the Palm Springs Library Learning Center offered a free lecture for the entire valley focused on native plants and how they are being affected by climate change.  The talk was actually a lecture series presented by the Library and is followed by two additional lectures on Tuesday evenings.  Check the Library schedule for more information.  Also, throughout the week, Palm Springs Disposal offered free disposal of unwanted items, and two local schools were treated to a “Meet The Mayor” to talk about Sustainability.  

            A highlight of the week was the “Get Plugged In! Electric Vehicle Rally and Fair” at the Palm Springs City Hall.    As volunteer and attendee Brett Klein said, “The favorite event for me was probably the “Get Plugged In!” Vehicle Rally.  It was a very fun event to drive my first electric vehicle and talk directly with residents about how to become more energy efficient.” Mician agreed by saying, “People really liked seeing the array of EV’s that were out there.”

            On Thursday night at the Palm Springs Street Festival Michele Mician and other members of the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission were on hand to meet and talk with city residents and other attendees.  Over 100 stopped to talk and sign the City’s Energy Star Pledge.  In return, they were treated to energy efficient light bulbs, water aerators and LED pocket lights.   Another volunteer and creator of Palm Springs Green Scene, Geraldine Carpentier said, “I was pleasantly surprised by the number of relatively recent Palm Springs residents who showed up at the Village Fest, eager to learn what the city and community was doing in terms of ‘going green’ and wanting to participate in the process.  I did so much talking with these enthusiastic residents that I was hoarse by the end of the evening.”

            A pinnacle of the week was the final celebration on Saturday night held at the ACE Hotel in Palm Springs.  The event started with a photo in honor of 350.org and the International Day of Climate Change.    Also during the evening two awards were presented.  One award, the 2009 Mayor’s Sustainability Steward Award, was presented to author, speaker and architect, Eric Corey Freed.  The other award was presented to Glen Grayman, Board Chairman of Desert Healthcare District, for the green initiatives being carried out at local facilities.  Afterwards a keynote address by Eric Corey Freed offered insight, clarity and even humor to many of the challenges and issues being faced by the sustainability movement.   Finally, a documentary film entitled,  “Planet in Peril” was shown poolside for all attendees.

            While not as well attended as last year’s initial celebration which featured world renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, this year was, according to local green architect Lance O’Donnell, “a good first effort for the new Sustainability Manager.”    O’Donnell also said that he hoped next year there be “better organization and better funding so the word gets out valley wide.  This should not be a “grassroots” effort, but ‘The Event Of The Year!’”   Carpentier added that she would like to see not only more city residents, but also many more members of the city council and the sustainability council present at all events.  Regina Basterrechea took her son Jonathan to a couple of the events.  While complimentary, she remarked, “I wish there was something more geared to families and school age children.”  Already making plans for a bigger and better event next year, Mician said about the EV Fair, “Next year I hope to have many more models like Tesla, Fisker Karma, the LEAF, the VOLT along with the Miles, GEM’s etc because they all have their applications. Our residents particularly seemed interested in NEV’s and that is why we created the map (see city website for NEV map).

            Brett Klein offered further commentary on the success of the week by saying, “I had the opportunity to participate in four events, and the overall impression from residents young to old was a sense of excitement, hands on learning, and realization that the city is really stepping up their efforts to Green our city and to move sustainability forward.  People actually were very informed already, especially the grade school kids at St. Teresa's and Cielo Vista. The teachers there are really doing a wonderful job of educating our young adults.”

            Following the weeklong celebration, the new Sustainability Manager commented by saying, “I think things went very well. Over 100 Energy Star pledges were signed and we passed out hundreds of Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs and Water Aerators. This resulted in reduced GHG emissions, outreach, and education awareness.” When asked what comes next, Mician said, “I think people really want to see more examples of renewable energy on public buildings and businesses. They are happy to see activities, go to workshops, hear speakers and get inspired. However, I think now is the time to show them that the opportunities are there.”