Have a world class and well maintained infrastructure grid for water, energy, transportation, waste management, and knowledge/communications.
As the Toledo-Lucas County region strives to improve educational performance outcomes and civic engagement, educational programs specific to climate issues can be incorporated into schools and community empowerment initiatives. An environmentally literate community can self-organize and build programs such as local gardens, recycling programs, and civic campaigns for pro-environmental policy. Education empowers citizens to be guardians of their natural world.
Increasing equitable access to education provides all members of the region with a solid foundation for job-readiness and the opportunity for upward mobility. Reducing educational and cultural disparities among disadvantaged populations empowers communities throughout Toledo-Lucas County region to self-organize and remove barriers, such as indifference or cultural distrust, and can encourage active participation in public decision-making processes.
Employment gaps persist along lines of educational attainment. The Toledo-Lucas County region can increase its own competitive advantage by recognizing these cracks in information access and by fostering cradle-to-career initiatives. Continuing to promote and grow the region’s cultural and arts programs can also boost the local economy and help to define the region as a tourism destination for culture and the arts, which would ultimately contribute to the region’s economic vitality.
As the Toledo-Lucas County region strives to improve educational performance outcomes and civic engagement, educational programs specific to climate issues can be incorporated into schools and community empowerment initiatives. An environmentally literate community can self-organize and build programs such as local gardens, recycling programs, and civic campaigns for pro-environmental policy. Education empowers citizens to be guardians of their natural world.
Increasing equitable access to education provides all members of the region with a solid foundation for job-readiness and the opportunity for upward mobility. Reducing educational and cultural disparities among disadvantaged populations empowers communities throughout Toledo-Lucas County region to self-organize and remove barriers, such as indifference or cultural distrust, and can encourage active participation in public decision-making processes.
Employment gaps persist along lines of educational attainment. The Toledo-Lucas County region can increase its own competitive advantage by recognizing these cracks in information access and by fostering cradle-to-career initiatives. Continuing to promote and grow the region’s cultural and arts programs can also boost the local economy and help to define the region as a tourism destination for culture and the arts, which would ultimately contribute to the region’s economic vitality.
- Expand and build on the BetterBuildings program which provides financing for energy efficiency technology
- Decrease the amount of energy businesses and governments use while increasing the amount of energy they get from renewable sources such as solar and geothermal energy
- Develop tools and programs to encourage more people to ride public transportation
- Support the solid waste management programs being implemented for residential, commercial, and industrial entities decreasing reliance on landfills while encouraging recycling and reaching waste reduction goals
- Support smart growth principles: live, work, and shop at developments in your community that follow smart growth principles, such as smaller housing units and denser developments
- Conserve energy: change out your light bulbs for more efficient options, turn off appliances when not being used, and improve the insulation in your house
- Reduce, reuse, recycle: use only what you need, reuse products rather than throwing them away, and take advantage of your neighborhood's recycling offerings
- Practice going beyond green at home: use green practices when renovating your home or landscaping your yard
- Keep the Toledo-Lucas County region beautiful: participate in efforts to revitalize and beautify your community or neighborhood
- Consider alternative transportation options: walk, bike, and use public transportation
- Take advantage of utility energy efficiency programs: both First Energy and Columbia Gas offer programs and financial rebates for their customers to reduce home or business energy use
