Greenwise History
California Hall of Fame inductee Alice Waters educated Greenwise participants in December 2010 on the importance of local food movements to local economies, as every dollar spent locally contributes as much as two to three times more to the community than spending at a non-local business.
In May 2010 a “Greenwise Initiative” was launched by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to convene, coordinate and align leaders in the greater Sacramento region and establish a shared vision for a economic development plan focused on a strong green economy.
At that time the Sacramento region was facing significant challenges with rising unemployment and an economy that heavily relied on construction and government jobs–challenges that still continue today.
Greenwise planning
The Greenwise team convened more than 275 experts and community leaders during an eight-month initiative and identified challenges and opportunities through five policy committees: Energy, Green & Clean Technology, Urban Design & Green Building, Waste & Recycling and Water & Nature.
This grassroots, collaborative effort was further inspired by remarkable leaders who spoke at monthly Greenwise meetings.
Together, Greenwise participants developed a powerful vision and detailed Greenwise Regional Action Plan to grow our green economy, improve the environment and engage our communities.
Greenwise speakers
June 15, 2010: Green for all ages with Alex Loorz
Alec Loorz, founder of Kids vs. Global Warming, addressed more than 250 people at Sacramento City College on the importance of youth education in a green economy.
May 18, 2010: The Beginning with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger believed that by starting at the grassroots level the Sacramento region could become the national model for a green and clean community.
He called the crowd to action with a reminder that, “All great movements–if it is the women’s suffrage movement or the civil rights movement or if it is the American independence movement–all of those kinds of things started very little, on the grassroots level.”
Want to find out about future Greenwise events? Join our email list.
