I live in Palo Alto, California, and I am proud to say that my city government is at the forefront in implementing transformational strategies for a greener community. Our city is in the center of Silicon Valley, across the street from Stanford University. As a result, there are a lot of very engaged, intelligent people here who care about the planet, and who reflect those values in the city government that we have elected and hired to serve us.

There are a number of ways that the City of Palo Alto is working to achieve a greener world. These fall into the following categories:

1. Green Building Initiative.

Palo Alto has a Green Building Initiative. The building code has been updated so that new buildings will be designed, built and operated in an environmentally friendly manner. This follows the California Green Building Code. These new building rules reduce energy, water, and natural resource consumption.

2. Green Gas Initiative.

Palo Alto has a Green Gas program. This is a voluntary program whereby residents pay a small extra charge to purchase carbon offsets for their natural gase usage. Carbon offsets work to reduce global carbon emissions. The cost for this averages around $5 per household.

3. Green Waste Initiative

Palo Alto has a Green Waste Initiative. It is reflected in a recycling and composting ordinance that requires businesses that generate landfill waste to subscribe to recycling and composting services. The city also has an Environmental Outreach Coordinator that assists with implementing this program.

4. Zero Waste Initiative

Palo Alto has a Zero Waste Initiative. The goals is for the community to ultimately reach, or come as close as possible, to the elimination of landfill and waste burning emissions. As part of that program, the City manages reuse and recycling programs to avoid landfill waste disposal where possible.

5. Carbon Neutral Electricity.

Palo Alto has a Carbon Neutral Electric Resource Plan. The purpose of the plan is only use carbon neutral electric resources. This plan was begun in 2013 and by 2106 the city had mostly achieved this goal. It reports that achieving full carbon neutrality between 2017 and 2020 is a small step. According to the City, we are one of only a few communities that are doing this.

6. Climate Protection Plan.

Palo Alto has a Climate Protection Plan that puts environmental sustainability as a top priority. This plan was implemented in 2007. By 2009, we reduced carbon emissions by 5%, and then by another 5% in 2012. The plan is to reduce emissions by 15% by 2020.

7. Solar Programs.

The City is also focusing on solar energy. The city has been working to reduce electricity-related GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by using solar and various other green improvements.  It has three utility-size photovoltaic plants online or coming online. These will account for around 32% of the city?s total electrical needs. In addition, we have a Local Solar Plan to increase the installation of local solar facilities, as well as a residential program to encourage homeowners to install solar panels.

8. Georgetown University Energy Prize Competition.

The City is participating in the Georgetown University Energy Prize Competition. This competition is for small and medium-size towns to try to become more energy efficient.  The competition rates each town by how they are doing, and that serves as a motivation to do better. Palo Alto was ranked in the top third of the towns participating so far.

9. Chief Sustainability Officer.

Palo Alto hired a Chief Sustainability Officer.  Having a high-level official focused on sustainability helps the city coordinate its efforts and manage its sustainability goals. This official also works to meet and update the city's climate protection plan.

10. Community Engagement.

There is active community engagement in Palo Alto about climate change and sustainability. The City conducts on-going outreach efforts to make residents aware of how they can participate in going green. At the same time, members of the community also advocate for progress in the citywide goals. Residents are offered many ways to participate in sustainability on an individual basis, from community gardens, to zero waste and recycling initiatives, to rebates for solar and water-saving uses.

In conclusion, I believe that the City of Palo Alto, California stands as a good example of a community that is working actively at saving the planet. While we have much more work to do at least we have a plan that is in effect. It seems fitting that our city logo is a green tree, and Palo Alto means "tall tree" in Spanish.