A fourth generation Floridian, Tim Center is the Vice President of Sustainability Initiatives at the Collins Center. He serves as the Director of Sustainable Florida - an alliance of organizations comitted to promoting the adoption of sustainable development principles and practices through collaboration and education. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs to serve as the Executive Director of the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida - a public body charged with helipng to envision the State of Florida over a 50-year planning horizon. He is an attorney, father, husband and friend.
Coming off our Best Practice Awards, I am now judging the Florida League of Cities Environmental Stewardship Awards. I amazed and encouraged at the efforts across the state to create a sustainable environment, economy and quality of life for residents and visitors. Local governments, non-profits, small and large businesses are doing their part. What are you doing and how can we help you?
Since it is day "Whatever it is is, it's been way too long and should never have happened" with the the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, we must all come together with a focus on how best to protect our fragile coastline. The efforts of local government leaders, volunteers and contractors must be supported as best we can. With 98% of Florida's waters still open to fishing please support the Florida Seafood Industry. Visit our beaches with your out-of-state friends and relatives. And consider volunteering for a beach cleanup in your area.
There are several events over the next few weeks that will bring folks together to explore opportunities to make Florida more sustainable. Check them out below.
In the meantime, wear plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Take care of yourself and each other. Thanks for helping to create a sustainable Florida!
The June issue of Governingmagazine points to the fact that the South accounts for 44 percent of the US energy consumption in an article promoting energy efficiency programs.
Three gatherings are planned to engage the public, business leadersand policy makers in how best to develop clean energy opportunities in Florida.
Today and Tuesday (June 28-29) in Tallahassee, the Clean Energy Congress will convene in the chambers of the state House of Representatives. The event will permit a debate of proposals from delegates and conclude with a signing of the "Declaration of Energy Independence".Even if you can't be there in person, you can sign on to the declaration online.
The following week on Thursday, July 8 in Orlando, the 2010 Florida Energy Summit sponsored by Citizens for Clean Energyandmoderated by Senate President-designate Senator Mike Haridopolos will convene to hear from panels that will focus on economic development, environmental protection and energy independence.
And don't forget about the 5th Annual Farm to Fuel SummitAugust 11-13 in Orlando. This has everything - excellent presentations, exhibitors, leaders from fields of agriculture, energy and venture capital firms, along with excellent networking. More than 400 attend each year. It is THE event of the summer.
Posted By Tim Center,
Monday, March 01, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, March 02, 2010
This year, I am really trying to adopt new behaviors that could have a significant impact to the community - especially if everyone did it. So, with the New Year, I made a resolution not to use a drive-through window. Not for my dry cleaning. Not for my Chik-Fil-A. Not for a burger or a frozen yogurt or a bank. No more idling. No more speakers. No more exhaust. Hello face-to-face greetings and salutations.
Than a few weeks later, the New Orleans won the Super Bowl and the city celebrated as though it was Fat Tuesday which was not for another week February 16. Fat Tuesday is the last day of feasting before Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. (Thank you, Wikipedia.)
The Lenten season lasts for forty days. During Lent it is common for some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations.
Well, no matter one's faith or beliefs, going green sounds pretty charitable and in line with taking care of that with which we have been entrusted. So to continue my adoption of new behaviors, I decided to give up printing for Lent. Watch the video for a look at how hard this may be for someone like me who travels a lot, reads a lot, writes a lot and is involved a multitude of projects.
I will admit that this was presented to me as a friendly challenge from a friend. And, I will also admit that I have sinned already - I printed a document last week - but it was front and back and on paper with recycled content. (Just don't judge me.)
I will let you know how it goes. In the meantime, there are still more than 30 days left. What are you doing this Lenten season?
I have been a fan of the Olympics ever since I can remember. I get goose bumps when I hear John Williams' Buglers Dream and Olymppic Fanfare. The Games seem to appeal to a higher sense of community amongst the people of the nations that compete.
It is worth noting that the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee has made sustainability a cornerstone of their planning. The London Organzing Committee is operating under a lot of the same principles as they prepare to host the 2012 Summer Games. And Russia wants the greenest game when it hosts in 2014.
The 2010 Winter Games which open today are said to be the greenest to date. But that greening has a cost. The Vancouver host committee has made clear their goals on their website, With the help of partners and sponsors, everything from the medals made from recycled metals from computer circuit boards to green buildings that recover the heat energy from the ice rink chillers to renewable energy to reduced a carbon footprint has been considered.
But one part of realizing the Vancouver games was building the infrastructure to get the athletes, coaches and spectators to the games. A highway that was expanded went through an ecosystem. It is anyone's guess to what extent that ecoystem will be impacted. But the impact is there.
It is difficult to balance the sustainability pillars of the economic prosperity within environmental limits to create a better quality of life. The Vancouver committee is to be commended for its efforts. And we wish all the athletes a games where they go faster, higher, and stronger for all.
by Tim Center, Vice President of Sustainability Initiatives
Congratulations, New Orleans Saints!
Let me be begin by stating that I love the Super Bowl - both the game and the commercials. And, like many, since the game happens on what is the equivalent of a "school night," I believe that the Monday after should be a national holiday.
That said, I also realize that the commercials - in addition to trying to sell you something - play an important role in commenting on our society. Think back to last year when the economy was tanking and no one knew how far it was going to drop, the commercials were more somber and less light-hearted.
This year, there is a feeling that we have turned the corner and the Super Bowl commercials shared that sense of hope - from the Simpson's newly busted Montgomery Burns enjoying a coke from a Springfield neighbor to a cute Dorito's ad highlighting the protective role our kids play of their Moms and snacks.
But it was the Audi ad (watch below) touting their green diesel engine that really spoke to me - and some of my Twitter friends with whom raised alarms. The ad featured scenes of alleged eco-insensitivity - including using plastic bags, drinking bottled water, using batteries and incandescent light bulbs and Styrofoam cups - being pursued by the Green Police (while a modified Cheap Trick's "Dream Police" played). It was great absurdist theater.
Or was it absurd? Is this where we are really going? Is that a reasonable question to ask?
Remember that on the eve of 1984, the infamous Apple ad that launched the Mac and changed computing history forever was calling to mind the great novel by George Orwell. And today we have Homeland everything.
The Florida Legislature called for a planto increase recycling rates to 75% and divert waste from landfills which the Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently released. The Department also released a planto figure out how to get away from plastic shopping bags. How we choose to realize these goals might give life to a real green police.
Posted By Tim Center,
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Tim's Take
by Tim Center, Vice President of Sustainability Initiatives
Feb. 3, 2010
Joe Kilsheimer is the chair of the Sustainable Florida Board of Directors. A former journalist, he now works in public relations as a consultant helping clients tell their stories. Whenever he introduces me, he seems to always begin with "Tim has one of the greatest jobs in Florida - to tell about all the wonderful things groups are doing to help make Florida a better place."
I am thankful everytime he reminds me how much fun I have in this role.
With each Sustainable Florida e-newsletter or Century Commission Communique', I get the chance to share a little story of perspecitve about life and how it relates to sustainability. Too often, I come across lots of conversation starters between email broadcasts. Too many are lost with time.
With this blog, I hope to take and build on those observations more frequently than the emails. And - most importantly - I hope to engage in a virtual conversation with those who visit the site. And, if you have an idea - feel free to shoot me an email.
A major land purchase by the South Florida Water Management District in Florida's Lake Okeechobee Region will have an important impact on the region's people, towns, jobs, and future economies.
Read or download the Lake Okeechobee Regional Initiative (LORI) brochure
Coalition for Smart Justice
A State-wide conversation to explore better ways to achieve a safer, more just, and more effective criminal justice system.
An Open Letter to the Governor, Legislature and to the People of Florida
Sustainable Florida - Collins Center
Sustainable Florida - Collins Center is the premier statewide organization committed to the balance of economic interests with the need to be socially and environmentally responsible.
Print Page
RSS
