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Building Professionals

The following is designed to help you practice sustainable development principles. Acting in a sustainable manner is common sense, but not always common practice. Many of us - whether at home or in the office - already try to recyle and conserve energy. But, as you can see below, there are many more ways that you can help create a more sustainable Florida. Click the link below to go directly to your area of interest.

Individual Responsibility

It is important for us to realize the impact we have on our environment. Our daily routines affect the world around us on a much larger scale than we'd like to think. But we have the ability to shape the future. It is up to each one of us.

There are simple steps we can take that will create a brighter future for us and generations to come.

Start learning about your impact now and find out what yourecological footprint is. What about global warming? Is there really anything you can do personally? See for yourself by learning how to offset your carbon emissions (it sounds worse than it is.)

Education

The key to becoming more sustainable is education. The more we know, the more we can do to make a difference. Expand your environmental literacy and then tell others what you learn!

Implementing sustainable practices in schools can have an effect too. It has even been shown that energy-efficient schools improve learning. Learn about the importance of sustainability and schools.

Home

You want to reduce your impact on the earth, but where do you start? The answer lies right in your own backyard. And not only will you be helping the environment, but your wallet too! Find out just how much money you could save by improving the energy-efficiency of your home.

Here are some other ways you can help:

Shopping

As consumers, we can make a difference through our personal purchases. We can reduce waste and save money by thinking twice about what we buy. Check out these green shopping tips for some ideas.

When shopping for home appliances, look for the Energy Star label. These products will be better for the environment and reduce your energy bill.

Food/Dining

You can make a difference in virtually all aspects of your life, including what you eat.

  • With Wal-Mart’s new organic products and Publix’s Greenwise Market, organic foods are easier to find than ever. But what exactly does it mean to be labeled organic and why should I buy it?
  • There are growing concerns about the safety of seafood regarding mercury and other toxins. Plus, the way fish are caught or grown can be harmful to the environment. Choose fish that are healthy for the oceans and you.
  • You can promote sustainability when you dine out too. Here is a directory of “green restaurants” where you can eat environmentally friendly foods in environmentally friendly facilities.

Work

It’s not just in our homes that we can make a difference. Although we may not think about it, there are things we can do at work too. So why not take some steps to green your office?

One of the biggest ways we can help is by reducing waste. Did you know the average American uses 650 pounds of paper a year? If all of that paper was recycled, 100 million tons of wood could be saved! Save some trees and start a recycling program at work.

Vacationing

Want to know how you can take a vacation and help the environment at the same time?

  • Ecotourism is a growing industry, especially in Florida. It’s a great way to have fun and support Florida’s natural resources.
  • If you’re looking to travel beyond Florida, consider“responsible travel” options. It’s a way to discover new places while benefiting the environment and the local people.
  • When looking for hotels, search for certified green hotels.

Transportation

We are all aware of the ever-increasing gas prices. And along with that comes the ever-increasing need to look at alternatives. But don’t worry; there are ways to save gas without buying a new hybrid car. In fact, there are ways to improve the fuel efficiency of your car without spending a penny!

Learn…

Health

Sustainability isn’t just about a healthy environment. It’s about a healthy community too. It’s important to be aware of environmental health risks such as…

Learn about environmentally responsible health care and environmental sustainability in healthcare.

Finance

We can also help the planet through our investments. With the Dow Jones Sustainability Index outperforming the general Dow Jones Index, right now is as good a time as ever. Put your money where your mouth is with socially responsible investing.

Community Action

Living sustainably is not just about the individual. We are members of larger communities and it is our responsibility to be active citizens. So get out there and get involved!

Business

The Council for Sustainable Florida devloped the following standards with the assistance of hundreds of individuals and business across the state. Adopt and implement these principles and you are on your way to becoming a sustainable business. Implementing these standards in your business will be steps toward a sustainable future.

Sustainable Florida Standards

  1. State Your Values - Identify your principles and goals in a public statement
  2. Be Involved - Make a commitment to citizen involvement, collaborative approaches, and community partnerships.
  3. Promote Stewardship - Be a leader on environmental quality and resource conservation.
  4. Meet People's Needs - Promote opportunity, equity, and improved quality of life.
  5. Manage for Sustainability - Adopt best management practices, systems and new technologies.
  6. Generate a Fair Return - Sustain Your program through productivity and efficiency.
Small Businesses Looking for a way to draw positive attention to your business or organization? Put into action sustainable practices and then tell people what you’re doing! You’ll be seen as cutting-edge and environmentally aware. Learn…

Large Company

Do you want to stand out in your field? Do you want to be seen as a step ahead of the other guys? You can by making your company sustainable! Not only will you benefit from this positive public image, but you’ll benefit economically too.

Find out how your company can adopt the Ceres Principles, a code of environmental corporate conduct, and become part of a national network.

The ISO 14000 family of environmental management standards is another great resource for implementing actions toward sustainability.

Transportation

Tourism

Learn…