MNN - Mother Nature Network

As many Charlotteans already know, "Charlotte's got a lot." From its humble Southern upbringings, this major city is closely involved with many global issues, particularly the necessity for sustainability.

 

In the eyes of the world, the environment remains one of the top issues (aside from the regular humdrum of fragile economies and heated politics). Charlotte has embraced this matter by creating an innovative and stimulating partnership.

 

Envision Charlotte is a cooperation amongst the city's major "movers and shakers" like Duke Energy and Bank of America. As is probably implied by the term "energy," Duke Energy is providing a new program, Smart Energy Now, which allows the public to view total energy consumed, the program goals, and solutions for saving energy.

 

As with any partnership, there must be a goal, correct? Of course, the answer in this case is yes. Envision Charlotte aims to reduce the energy consumption of Uptown by 20 percent within five years.

 

Former President Bill Clinton first announced the partnership in January 2011. The event caught the public eye via the media, as well. Viewed as a success for the Queen City, the cooperative effort involves all buildings in the I-277 loop (the de facto Uptown delineation).

 

One beneficial result of the program (among many) will be increased public awareness and community-based decisions. Therefore, Envision Charlotte will serve as both solution and foundation.

 

Photo: Numinosity (by Gary J Wood)/Flickr