As Earth Day is approaching, April 22 is a day to reduce, reuse, recycle, and save the environment from littering and pollution. This year there are plenty of Orlando initiatives that honor taking care of the planet and share the importance of Earth Day.
Below are some local initiatives worth paying attention to.
Green Works Orlando Initiative
This initiative launched in 2007 and has continued to grow. The Green Works Orlando initiative ponders Mayor Buddy Dyer’s desire to grow green energy in the local Orlando area.
Mayor Dyer created the city’s first office of Sustainability & Resilience to showcase the Green Works Orlando Initiative by working together to guarantee the use of a healthier and greener world.
The sustainability focus areas that will be implemented in this program are the local food system, livability, mobility and transportation, zero waste, clean water, and clean energy and green buildings.
Orange County Convention Center
The Orange County Convention Center is tied to sustainability with its “Orange to Green” campaign. The one-megawatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system is one of the largest in the southeastern United States and helps to provide a reliable source of energy for the community.
The use of recycling helped the OCCC become the first U.S. convention to earn the environmental management services ISO 14001 certification. The PV system has high-efficiency flat-plate electors and has 200,000 square feet of foot space in the North/South Building. Other initiatives a part of this group include reclaimed water for irrigation, installing low-flow faucets, and purchasing recycled products.
The OCCC incorporates natural lighting from floor to ceiling windows and is currently converting to LED throughout rooms, office spaces, and eating areas to conserve energy and light. OCCC also works to sustain water and other sources by preserving natural lands that include multiple vegetative areas that hold rainwater.
Keep Orlando Beautiful
The Keep Orlando Beautiful initiative is a non-profit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. This program mobilizes residents in the Orlando area to clean and take care of the earth, the streets, neighborhoods, green areas, and waterways.
This initiative has recycled thousands of pounds of electronic waste, kayaking the Orlando lakes to remove pollution and waste from the water, and actively working with volunteers to make Orlando a safe space for society and animals is what this project is meant to do.
Keep Orlando’s Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Street Program is meant to get the public involved in keeping city streets and waterways free of litter and waste from the public. The two main initiatives this program has is Trash 2 Trends: An Evening of Recycled Fashion where this fundraiser brings together fashion and art or local artists together with the environmental community. The second initiative would be the Electronic Waste and Textile Recycling Event that teaches Orlando the best ways to protect the environment.
OUC The Reliable One
OUC recognizes the pivotal role the community plays in preserving our environment and protecting future generations from any negative impacts. OUC is committed to ensuring a reliable water supply for promoting water conservation. OUC focuses on efficient water use through different types of technologies and conservation measures.
OUC’s environmental team is committed to protecting wildlife and their habitats after infrastructures. As one of the first utilities in Florida to create an Avian Protection Plan, the teams of environmental, electrical, and engineering use computer models to track the location of bald eagles.
Additionally, the organization earned an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Line USA designation for its ongoing partnership with effective vegetation management. This was an important step in protecting the local community. Tree Line USA is a national program that protects and supports forests. It promotes the goals of delivering reliable electricity while preserving trees, plants, and the earth.
IDEAS For Us
A group of UCF students came together wanting to make a change to stop talking about environmental issues and to actually begin the work of addressing the problems. This is what the program IDEAS.
Beginning in 2008, it was a student-led organization whose dedication was to solving environment issues on campus. The mission of this initiative is to develop ideas, fund action, and create solutions for the world’s biggest environmental issues.
The five Pillars of Sustainability include: energy, water, food, waste, and ecology in both developed and developing nations. Every project and initiative launched at this program is meant to help heal the planet and to build a better world for everyone living in it and for those in the future.
Earth Day is a reminder of protecting the planet and the environment from global warming. The best way to celebrate is taking the steps and initiatives to help make sure that society can continue living in this world.
