ON THE TOWN:Encourage a greener lifestyle in our cities

I must admit to some confusion about where and when I first read the story. Had you asked me before Monday, I would have told you that I saw it on the front page of the Sunday Los Angeles Times on Dec. 10.

But an Internet search shows the story appearing in the Times on Oct. 1.

It doesn’t really matter; the subject is what’s important.

The story is about how state and local governments across the country have moved far ahead of the federal government in their efforts to promote more environmentally friendly ways of living.

Some examples are Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signing of legislation mandating reductions in so-called greenhouse gases, Chicago’s retrofitting of civic buildings to become more energy efficient, and a new building in San Francisco that will rely on natural ventilation instead of air conditioning. Natural ventilation — now there’s a novel idea.

The focus on buildings and constructing or altering them to become green is one way local governments can improve the environment without federal help.

The lighting, cooling and heating of buildings, you see, contributes anywhere from one-third to one-half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, according to The Times.

So, any city can mandate certain designs at any time, instead of having to wait for the federal government to order reductions in auto emissions, a painfully slow process.

I don’t mind telling you that the health of our environment and our ability to develop local answers has been an occasional theme in this column.

It reached its zenith when the phony electricity crisis of a few years ago caused brownouts across the state and probably cost former Gov. Gray Davis his job.

At that time, I pointed out the arrogance of the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s audacious Christmas light display in Costa Mesa. Even though the crisis has eased, for now, the lights are still too much.

I have written before and still believe that the condition of our environment is of deeper importance to Americans than the war in Iraq.

In Newport Beach, there has been a revolution in city government. There is an almost entirely new City Council and the recent defeat of Measure X, which would have required further oversight of new development in the city.

In Costa Mesa, there is one new city council member, Wendy Leece, who could make the difference in environmental policy.

Both cities have the opportunity to promote the green life without affecting their economies. They may actually find instead, as cities such as Oakland have found, that being green could bring in some green — money, that is. Oakland’s latest attempt to revive its economy revolves around the development of environmentally friendly new industries and the creation of green, retrofitted businesses.

Newport Beach and Costa Mesa can contribute quickly by:

These are just a few suggestions. I am sure that if these smart people put their heads together, they could come up with a lot more. Or they could ask their colleagues across the country.

Being green is a win-win. And it feels good too.