BG Green Anniversary

BG Green celebrates first anniversary
JUSTIN STORY, The Daily News, jstory@bgdailynews.com
Published: October 19, 2007
While it was an occasion to celebrate, the first anniversary of the BG Green Partnership for a Sustainable Community was also a time for members to take stock and discuss ways to make a more environmentally friendly community.

Held Thursday night at the Capitol Arts Center, the celebration honored the first year of BG Green, a volunteer organization whose members have promoted energy efficiency, conservation, use of local foods and resources and smart growth.

Proponents of organic produce, bicycling, solar energy and other green-friendly items handed out reams of information from booths set up in the lobby.

Inside the theater, the program included poets, musicians and “Climate S.O.S.,” a multimedia presentation on global warming by the Unitarian Universalist Church youth group.

“Many say that sustainable development doesn’t go hand in hand with economic development, but that’s a big myth,” said Nancy Givens, co-founder and current chairwoman of BG Green.

Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker lent credence to Givens’ claim, citing her commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels articulated in the Kyoto Protocol. Walker said cities could experience green economic development through energy and environmental block grants, but ultimately, everyone has a stake in protecting the environment.

“There’s too much of a perception that going green is a little bit out there and idealistic,” Walker said. “It’s not idealistic – it’s vital.”

In addition to BG Green, the Western Kentucky University organization Greentoppers-Students for Campus Sustainability was recognized for its efforts to provide information about and advocate for sustainable development at the school, including a campus community recycling bin.

What the people involved in Thursday’s event made clear was that anyone can and should do something, no matter how small, to encourage a healthy environment.

It could be as simple as turning off the lights when you’re not using them, as recommended in Climate S.O.S., or as complicated as growing organic vegetables under a greenhouse in the winter, which is what Joe O’Daniel does.

A Warren County farmer and president of the Southern Kentucky Regional Farmers Market, O’Daniel had a booth at Thursday’s event with a bucket full of lettuce, onions, cauliflower and radishes picked that day from his farm.

“I grow without pesticides and herbicides, but I could always be doing more,” O’Daniel said. “I’m going to be doing some more recycling.”


Copyright 2007 News Publishing LLC (Bowling Green, KY)

Green Pride

Last night was the 1st year anniversary of BG Green. Our event at the Capitol Arts Center in Bowling Green, KY went off without a hitch. It’s not in the paper this morning but they were there. I assume it will be in the paper tomorrow – I will share that link.

It always amazes me how a small town like Bowling Green, KY attracts such talented and remarkable people. I have been one of those people in the past that was itching to get out of this small, little one-horse town! I hated it here because, well, I just did! I did because everyone else did! It’s funny now to notice that people who leave somehow find their way back if even for a short visit. It’s not necessarily the town, it’s the people they are attracted to!

We are on our way to a greener community that’s for sure! The updates for this past year’s work were staggering. The students on the WKU campus are so impressive – we are on our way to a greener campus as well! All led by students! With all the news and commentary about how people don’t care about anything or anyone any more and how our young people have no morals, it makes me wonder who they see. I don’t see that! I see young activist who do care, who are smart, who are leaders, who intend to fight. I am proud of my community and I think we will be just fine.

Molly Kerby