Sustaining a local economy starts with PB&J

A panel was pulled together recently at the Ann Arbor library to discuss how to achieve a sustainable local economy. Speakers spoke on housing, food, the environment, and even providing a local currency. The Ann Arbor Chronicle breaks down what each one had to say. Excerpt: Hieftje spoke about various environmental initiatives undertaken by the city of Ann Arbor, including the installation of LED street lights, the addition of bicycle lanes and the goal of using 30% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2010. As an example of areas that are doing even more, he pointed to Ontario, Canada, which has large-scale wind farms and two major solar plants. Public policy in Canada and Europe – including the use of feed-in tariffs – makes it easier to promote renewable energy in those countries, he said. One of the things that Michigan can do to promote economic recovery is to refocus on making cities the kind of places where people want to be, Hieftje said – the business will follow. Read the entire article here.