Friday, July 24, 2009

Greenable Woodbridge

 

MISSION STATEMENT
Woodbridge Township is committed to developing strategies that will reduce our impact on the environment both collectively and individually, so that we might preserve our natural resources
for the citizens now and in the future. The Township is also committed to the growth of an economic and socially
sustainable community.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

Making green choices is hard for many people. Modern living has made us lazy. We put all our trash in one big bag when we can recycle and compost, we wipe our tables with paper when we can use cloth, we take out our car when we can walk, when we entertain friends we use disposable plates and cups, we take loads of plastic bags when we go grocery shopping..……the list is endless. Why do we make these choices – 1. We cannot immediately feel the ramifications of our actions, 2. We have no time…3. We believe we are doing nothing wrong as everyone else is doing the same thing and 4. last but not the least the non-green choice is the choice that offers the path of least resistance and is most convenient and readily available!

Those who make green choices could be very well branded insane!!

We have no choice but to be green…if not for our sakes but for the sake of our children. The legacy of environmental degradation will be a big price that our children will have to pay. Recently saw a beautiful Walt Disney children’s movie Wall-E,which touches upon the future of mankind due to the immense trash that we generate and massive consumerism - message well conveyed. In fact, most children today are more aware of what is good for our earth (due to efforts of several environmental education groups, school curriculum, TV shows and movies). Even the popular children’s cartoon show Curious George ran an episode on vermicomposting – causing my son to take a lot of interest in worms and dirt! There was one more on recycling. Ask your child what’s good for the earth – she/he probably knows a bit more about making greener choices. Recently I went grocery shopping(minus my reusable bag) and I took 2 plastic bags as one of them was torn – my friend’s daughter was with me – she pointed out – “Aunty, don’t double bags – see it is written there” see what I mean! A lesson learnt! Children can teach us a lot!

As a resident of Woodbridge Township – this Greenable Woodbridge pledge offers all of us a chance to become environmentally aware and do our bit to achieve a sustainable lifestyle.  I am extremely happy with the resolution of the township since it provides an impetus to the green movement worldwide. Many people are reluctant to lead a greener lifestyle as they do not know where to start or what to do. As a starting point the residents can take the green team challenge listed on the township website.

The townships efforts will bear fruit with whole hearted effort of its residents. We as residents must not undermine our part in this effort.

The various aspects that the township is working on are :

1. Saving Energy – Distribution of CFLs

2. Saving Water – Rain Gardens

3. Buying local and encouraging local economy – Farmer’s market

4. Walkability in the township

5. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse

6. Community outreach and education – through fairs, schools

7. Protection of local natural areas

The township had the Greenable Visioning meeting on July 14th 2009. It is imperative for one and all to be a part of the green movement to make the township’s green movement successful.

The Woodbridge township website http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/Green/tabid/751/Default.aspx lists all the future activities in which its residents can participate.

"MAPPING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT" SAT., JULY 25 AT FARMER'S MARKET
read more ...

"GREENABLE WOODBRIDGE" PRESENTS "HOW TO WORKSHOPS"
read more ...

Woodbridge Township Moves Toward Certification...
read more ...

Woodbridge Township Redevelopment Agency Achieves Excellence in Planning Award for 2009
read more ...

Woodbridge Mayor McCormac Announces $2.4 Million BPU Clean Energy Grant to Kick-Start ...
read more ...

Hats off to the town’s proactive Mayor John McCormac spearheading the township’s effort in order to achieve its sustainability goals.

As a resident of this township our job is to join this movement and to provide feedback. Through this blog I will promote the township’s green efforts and post blogs on how to achieve a greener lifestyle. People interested in posting their green efforts are most welcome to send me their posts – which will go up on this blog.

Ciao – till the next post…

Sunita

3 comments:

  1. As a resident of Woodbridge Twp, I feel proud to know that these efforts to educate and motivate the public are being made. It's so true that we are lazy in todays world and it's important for those in positions of leadership to take a proactive stance. Thanks, Mayor McCormac! I hope many of us who live in the township will take this opportunity to help to make the local green movement successful. Let's take the green challenge, reach those 400 points and make us certified sustainable Woodbridge.

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  2. Don't forget to visit the public library! Borrow books to save paper and money. Donate the books you have no room for or will not read, etc. And learn about even more ways to go green.

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  3. In response, the facts are stated, Going Green is a plan, a plan that is placed into motion and needs cooperation from each and every citizen in the town of Woodbridge. As a resident and home owner for the past 10 years I have seen good positive changes in our town. But on the negative side I have also seen changes for the worst. Going Green takes hard work and sacrifices that most people, either do not have the time, resources or just simply the anxiety to follow thru. All the media coverage write-ups on many method of Going Green, has created a full awareness of the procedure. From fuel conservation, to power, water, recycling and the list goes on.
    But in conjunction with all these Going Green, needs once; again ‘People”. If we take a close look at the immediate areas and the condition of some of our residential properties we find that Going Green is not in anyone’s mind. There are residents that never cut their lawns, residents that have a collection of debris on their porches and front property. Broken windows, houses that have a sheet of plywood on their front entrance instead of a door. Cars parked on the street with broken windows. Old boats parked in the same spot for years without being moved or used. Graffiti painted under bridges, and underpasses. I watched the grass grow on the Main St. exit from Rt. 9 North during the summer to almost 2 feet high, before the township even attempted to cut it. If you take a walk under the Fulton St overpass all you smell is human urine. Constant parking on sides of streets where their no parking. Parking on top of sidewalks, destroying the concrete. Pot holes and poorly maintained side streets.
    Awareness needs to be created in our town. Maintain our properties and together with the township doing their share then an only then can we say we are on our way to Green and improving our quality of life.

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