The Tennessean
By Michael Cass
Published: February 11, 2009
Metro government produces about 5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions generated in Nashville, according to an inventory ordered by Mayor Karl Dean. The inventory, which the city plans to release today, also shows that the city is slightly above the national average and below the state average for emissions produced by each resident. The findings are expected to spur recommendations of steps the city can take to reduce its impact on the environment.
"A lot of these initiatives are not only the right thing to do for the environment, but they also save money," said Jenna Smith, environmental sustainability manager in the mayor's office.
Produced by cars, buildings, water and sewage treatment, and other activities, greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation. That traps heat in the atmosphere and leads to global warming, scientists say.
Until now, Metro never had such specific data about its environmental impact, Smith said. The study by the Metro Health Department and Gresham Smith and Partners found the entire city produced approximately 14.4 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, or 23.9 tons per person, in 2005.
The national average was 23.8 tons per capita. The state average was 24.9.
"Overall, looking at the field out there, we compare pretty closely to everywhere," said Spencer Hissam, an environmental engineer with the Health Department. "We're not the worst, and we're not the best."
Dean's Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability plans to deliver its final report to the mayor next month. Smith declined to reveal any specific recommendations, but she said some of them would address the problems highlighted by the greenhouse gas inventory, which was paid for by Nashville Electric Service.
Metro might work to make its own buildings more energy-efficient, for example, or give employees more encouragement and incentives to use mass transit.
"The more employees you can get using the bus and not driving so much, the more they can reduce their emissions," Smith said.
Laura Fiffick, an environmental scientist with Gresham Smith and Partners, said cities also can undertake energy and water conservation programs and use more alternate fuels and hybrid vehicles.
"Those are things municipal governments can control," she said.
The Metro Council approved new tree density requirements for residential development last week. Fiffick said trees help cool down the core of the city and absorb greenhouse gases.
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