This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City analyzed its environmental habits and reduced greenhouse gases and energy consumption by changing light bulbs and buying wind power, among other measures. It got 36 businesses to do the same, through the e2 - environmentally and economically sustainable - business program.
Now, the city says it's your turn.
The capital is creating e2 Citizen, a program in which residents will be asked to do their part to improve the environment.
"It's more than just a program for your typical tree-hugger," said Lisa Romney, Mayor Rocky Anderson's environmental adviser. "It's a program for everyone who cares about the future, their children, their own health, the economy of the city they live in . . . It's about sustainability."
First, the city wants people to know their eco-footprint (see http://www. climatecrisis.net) - how many pounds of carbon dioxide they use per year based on car use, air travel and home energy bills.
Participants, - e2 Citizens - will be asked to set five goals, from getting rid of their vehicles, to using cold water for laundry, to installing low-flow showerheads.
The first 250 who sign up will get a starter kit, which will include a compact fluorescent light bulb (requiring less energy and lasting longer than incandescent bulbs), two UTA tokens, a flashing bike light and bike map (no more excuses for driving) and a recycled pen.
There will be a newsletter and social events for members, including the first on April 25, which will launch e2 Citizen. The launch starts at 5:30 p.m., before a free screening of "Global Warming: The Signs and The Science," in the Urban Room of the Main Library.
For more about e2 Citizen, visit http://slcgreen. com/pages/e2citizen.htm.