|
|
 |
Environment: Goals & Measures
|
|
|
Indicator Measures
|
How are we doing?
|
|
|
|
.gif) |
5.1.1 The ecological footprint: per capita consumption of the Earth’s resources
|
On average, Americans require about 24 acres per person to sustain our lifestyle - four times the world average. Between 1992, the date of the first Earth Summit, and 2002, energy consumption in the US increased by 21% and US greenhouse gas emissions are projected to increase by 46% by 2020. The Kyoto Accord, now signed by 128 nations, including Japan, Russia and the EU, requires reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels. |
|
5.1.2 Household recycling rates and solid waste generated — Boston versus other Massachusetts cities
|
Boston’s recycling rate fell from about 15% in 1995 to 10% in 2002, the last date for data, compared to 39% in Saugus and 37% in Newton. Only Revere had a lower rate among Metro Boston’s inner core communities. |
|
5.1.3 Friends groups for parks and greenspaces
|
The number of parks in Boston is increasing, with the highest rate of park stewardship in Dorchester, the South End, Roxbury and the downtown neighborhoods. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.2.1 Trends in climate change – local, national and global
|
Over the last century, average temperatures in Amherst, MA, increased by two degrees Fahrenheit while rainfall increased by 20% in many areas. A 2004 EPA-commissioned study projects that temperatures over 90 degrees in Metro Boston will double to 30 days/year in this century, and that sea levels could rise by 24 inches, with coastal flooding causing up to $94 billion in damages, and additional river flooding. |
|
5.2.2 Per capita greenhouse gas or CO2 emissions from residential and commercial energy use, transportation, and solid waste disposal
|
Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas emissions are14.9 metric tons per person compared to the national average of 24.9 metric tons per person; however, the MA total increased by about 5.4% between 1990 and 2000. If MA were a country, its emissions would rank 15th in the world – below Greece and above Portugal. In 2002, Mayor Menino committed to reducing Boston’s municipal energy use by 10% by 2005; and he instituted a “green” building code in 2004. |
|
5.2.3 Energy from renewable sources
|
In 2002, MA ranked 24th out of 50 states in the creation of renewable power, although at 242 million BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy per capita, MA ranked 47th in energy consumption per capita, 40% lower than the US average. |
|
|
|
|
.gif){kind=icon}