Trees are an important resource in our world. Residents of Atlanta, Georgia realize that. Recently they have been the recipients of $300,000 to help them in planting trees in their community. After competing in the American Express Root for Our City Challenge, Atlanta residents will get to make their town a little greener. The money will provide them the resources to plant 900 trees and maintain residential as well as retail districts through the city.
Atlanta secured this honor through the support of the community. People in the community can purchase items at participating retailers in the area. One important thing to realize about Atlanta, though, is that trees were an important resource to their community even before they participated in the Root for Our City Challenge. Atlanta's nickname is the City of Trees. With the money from this challenge, though, Atlanta will be able to better appreciate the resources provided to them through trees. Damaged and aged trees can now be replaced. This money will allow for the restoration of trees in areas of the community that would otherwise not have trees.
Even before they had the financial backing of Root for Our City, volunteers in Atlanta knew the importance of having trees in their community. They understood that this resource can provide them with cleaner air and water as well as other great benefits. Before Root for Our City, there was Trees Atlanta. Trees Atlanta, which has been around since 1984, plants trees in neighborhoods and business districts. They are also a resource which provides information on the importance of trees and how to both plant and care for trees. As the residents of Atlanta work to use the money they have received, Trees Atlanta will play a big part.
Yet, trees are not the only resource that Atlanta residents appreciate. Residents of Atlanta are also working to use less energy. By using less energy, they can help to save some of the resources we often take for granted. One way Atlanta is working to do this is by reprogramming heating and air conditioning controls in city buildings to shut off when the units are not needed. In City Hall alone, this measure is expected to result in a savings of over $120,000 annually. This is roughly a 15-20% energy savings for this one building.
Another place Atlanta hopes to save money and energy is through the Power to Change Campaign. This campaign focuses upon water conservation, recycling, and transportation alternatives. Through the help of city employees, the city hopes to decrease energy by at least 10%. This could result in a annual savings of $500,000 or more.
A final place where Atlanta hopes to work to save on resources is through their proposed Green Revolving Loan Fund. Money would be loaned to city departments to finance the building of energy efficient and renewable energy projects. This loan will be funded by outside funding and create a program where Atlanta will recover its investment through the utility savings. One of the plans is to install solar thermal panels on the city's indoor swimming pool.
Chris Blastoyout reports on weather and other problems that damages homes. See:
http://www.localrestorations.com/Georgia
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