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Mayor Allen Joines announced today a "Go Green Winston-Salem" campaign that will feature events and forums Sept. 15-19.

Another way for government agencies to get in on the action: The N.C. League of Muncipalities' three-year "Green Challenge." The town of Mocksville joined last month.

It's been said that the United States has squandered a lot of precious time by operating without a comprehensive energy policy since the oil crises of the 1970s and 1980s. Now, rising energy prices have motivated many Americans to call for a plan that will bring about the country's "energy independence," or at the very least, wean us off of Middle Eastern oil.

They just differ on who should control the process. Should government swing the stick that will make businesses and consumers adopt renewable energy and practice conservation? Or should businesses alone dangle in front of customers the carrot of competively priced alternatives?

To prove their case, representatives of either argument trot out historical examples of when government or businesses, or in some cases individuals, best addressed previous challenges and crises. Arguments tend to float near the extremes of the "invisible hand of the free market" and communism while ignoring various shades of gray in between.

(Examples of energy plans with different emphases: here, here and here. Which kind do you most favor?)

The debate also seems to be largely about how we can continue to grow the economy while either switching to alternative energy sources or decreasing oil prices through new supplies and technology. Barack Obama wants to spend $150 billion on clean energy jobs, increase the production of plug-in hybrid cars and implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program. John McCain wants to eliminate mandates and subsidies for corn-based ethanol and expand off-shore drilling.

But has the debate been properly defined? Should we focus solely on prices as motivation for lifestyle changes without talking about equitable distribution of resources or the total amount of fossil fuels we should burn given the various environmental concerns?

Should you and I leave it up to government or the marketplace without reevaluating or reprioritizing our dependence on modern air conditioning and heat, personal vehicles and industrialized food? And do current economic and government policies work equally well in a world of abundant resources and a world of declining resources?

Are politicians and economists telling the truth when they brag about fossil fuels' benefits without disclosing their environmental, political and social costs (of course, all courses of action will have some disadvantages)? And are they making promises they can't keep, pretending that energy independence can come without extreme sacrifice on the part of Americans?

Is it fair for Americans to whine about taxes and high gas prices but not use their own ingenuity and creativity to cut their fuel and electricity use? What do you think is missing from the debate?

An alliance of environmentalists in North Carolina is calling for Secretary William Ross of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to use his powers to stop the rampant destruction of the state’s natural resources. This follows the August deaths of millions of fish in the Pamlico River, which has preliminarily been linked to a potentially toxic algae.

More on the Pamlico River:

"Unfortunately, the Pamlico River has been plagued with environ mental problems. This region began to attract public concern in the 1980s. The excessive growth of algae and increasing numbers of diseased and dying fish began to suggest a decline in water quality. Many municipal treatment plants were dis charging wastewater into rivers and streams. Runoff from “nonpoint” sources —such as farmland, timber operations and urban areas—also contributed pollution."

The Neuse River also has problems.

T.S. Designs in Burlington is hosting on Oct. 4 the "First Annual Piedmont Green Gala," billed by Peter Kauber of Guilford Solar Communities as the "hands-down biggest green event ever held in the Piedmont Triad."

Kauber:

"Featured will be solar and wind power generation, biodiesel production, alternative transportation (hybrids, biodiesel, electric cars), sustainable agriculture (organic gardens, composting), water conservation and grey water use, sustainable business practices, two workshops on renewable energy and energy efficiency tax credits, display tables, locally produced food and beverages, musical entertainment, and -- above all -- some folks who are nothing short of inspiring."

Starting today, Guilford County residents can drop off recyclables on the first Saturday of the month at the Scrap Tire and White Goods Collection Facility located at 2138 Bishop Road, Greensboro.

This pilot program, sponsored by Republic Waste Services, has been developed to evaluate public demand for recycling convenience sites in the unincorporated areas of the County.

Friendly Center and The Shops at Friendly Center have increased the number of bicycle racks at the shopping complex in response to this summer’s record-high gas prices.

And to raise bicycling awareness, Friendly is partnering with the Greensboro Department of Transportation to hold a free bike safety event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 in the Pembroke Road parking lot (behind Signature Place, just off the Pembroke Road intersection with Northline Avenue).

GDOT will place special emphasis on the laws, rules and responsibilities associated with using pedal power. Activities will include a bike rodeo, helmet fitting, helmet giveaway for children under age 16, bike-on-bus demonstration, and a “Road 1” bicycle course overview.

The location of the 18 bike racks:
Ann Taylor Loft, 629 Friendly Center Road, Friendly Center

Custom Creations, 3352 W. Friendly Ave., Suite 142, The Shops at Friendly Center

Eddie Bauer, 801-A Friendly Center Road, Friendly Center

The Grande Cinemas, 3205 Northline Ave., Friendly Center

Great Outdoor Provision Co., 3104 Northline Ave., Friendly Center

Harris Teeter, 3330 W.t Friendly Ave., The Shops at Friendly Center

J. Crew, 3334 W. Friendly Ave., Suite 105, The Shops at Friendly Center

Jason's Deli, 3326 W. Friendly Ave., Suite 140, The Shops at Friendly Center

REI, 3334 W. Friendly Ave., Suite 140, The Shops at Friendly Center

United States Postal Service, 610 Pembroke Road, Friendly Center

Gov. Mike Easley announced Tuesday that North Carolina has won a federal Department of Energy grant to develop and implement an innovative energy-efficient state code for building construction and renovation that will save consumers up to $40 million annually on utility bills.

The grant will be used to both develop a new set of requirements for building construction to make homes and offices more energy efficient and to provide training and technical assistance to improve the compliance with building codes.

I wonder if this means Guilford County Schools' decision to build green schools will be vindicated and make the school board's doubts about cost savings a moot point.

Reporter Jason Hardin writes about the almost inevitable dispute over at the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market about whether nonlocally-produced foods can be sold there.

On the one hand, we have farmers trying to protect the integrity of the market by guaranteeing that customers get only local products. Other farmers say the market should not make the perfect the enemy of the good by unnecessarily limiting customers' choices and keeping some small businesses from thriving.

So what to do? The market guidelines state that any product grown or produced within North Carolina or adjoining states can be sold, which is a very large territory. And should customers expect to buy butter made in Ohio at the market when one could buy butter produced from North Carolina cows?

I started shopping at the farmers' market last year, and the primary purpose of that was to buy food that comes from farmers in my state or crafts that are at least manufactured locally. It's also fun to shop there and see so many people I know on a weekly basis, but it gets crowded pretty early and I could very well purchase my eggs and zucchini elsewhere, when it's more convenient. My incentive to shop there might be compromised if it became too confusing to figure out what is local and what is not. But I can be flexible.

I guess the question becomes, how can the market, vendors and customers best benefit? Will allowing more nonlocal fare attract or lose customers? You can tell the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Commission your thoughts when it meets about the issue at 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at Lewis Recreation Center, 3110 Forest Lawn Drive.

About 250 people attended a kick-off event at the Proximity Hotel for the new 12-county Piedmont Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. In the mix were city officials, such as City Manager Mitch Johnson, business owners, home builders, academics and curious residents. They toured the Proximity, wined and dined on white platter hors d'oeuvres and met this area's green revolution movers and shakers.

Donna Newton, advisor of the Greensboro Neighborhood Congress, said she came to connect with people who could advise her on how to incorporate renewable energy into her home. She said she and her husband currently recycle and use rain barrels and are now researching solar panels.

"We're willing to pay a premium for the earth but we're not willing to go broke," she said.

Newton said "green" is the buzzword in neighborhoods now and she would like to hold an educational symposium for neighborhoods.

Joel Landau, general manager of Deep Roots Market and co-chair of the Greensboro community sustainability council, said the group is planning a fall public meeting to discuss green topics. He said the report of recommendations the committee is charged with creating for City Council could be similar to the draft Green Guilford plan developed by the county.

Below: Landau (right) with Sarah Levenson and Betsi Blake of Eco Everyday retail store in Greensboro.

Proximity developer Dennis Quaintance told the crowd that Proximity has enough points to be certified platinum LEED, the highest rating possible. No other hotel in the country yet has that distinction, he said. Proximity is holding out for the final point before it becomes official.

"We didn't set out to be LEED platinum," Quaintance said. "We didn't really care about LEED. Our idea was we wanted to build a hotel that was durable."

Now won over, Quaintance said he hopes that the green building efforts in the Piedmont will be successful because he fears companies will lower standards to remain competitive.

Keynote speaker Kevin Hydes, chairman of the World Green Building Council, clicked through a flurry of slides showing the global impact of green building, from the wind turbines on a skyscraper in Dubai to roof trellises and sky gardens on a building in Singapore. He said he hopes to see replicated in the United States a European Union system that shows people energy ratings at each commercial building. Hydes, echoing writer Thomas Friedman, also said the LEED standard is an example of an environmental standard that came from society up, not government down.

Still, the industry is still fragmented when it comes to green building standards. The council is trying to change buiding professionals who are unengaged, uninformed enthusiasts or skeptical participants into green building campaigners, Hyde said.

So what do you consider yourself: unengaged, uninformed enthusiast, skeptical participant or campaigner?

The Aycock neighborhood in Greensboro will sponsor a "Good Green Fun Fair" on Saturday at Aycock Middle School to show families how to incorporate green and healthy practices into their lives. The fair will take place from 2-4:30 p.m. and will be paid for with part of a $3,000 Building Stronger Neighborhoods Grant the neighborhood received.

Booths will include: Recycled Art, Make Your Own Pottery (North Carolina clay), Green Cleaning, and organic Vegetables and Fruit seedlings booth where fairgoers can take home their own organic seedling.

Prizes will be awarded for the Litter Pick-Up Contest, where Guilford County Schools students can collect litter from their neighborhoods, parks, etc. and bring their litter-bags to the fair for green-inspired team prizes.

Children will also perform “An Earthy Story”, an original play with music performed by students ages 5 to 13, about the cleaning of the world. For more information, or how to participate, contact Zora Medor, event producer at 273-8724 or zoramed@yahoo.com.

N&R reporter Taft Wireback published an excellent package today (not online for some reason) on his experience riding the mass transit systems that operate in Greensboro. His unsurprising conclusion: They have a long way to go toward making the proposition palatable for time-strapped motorists considering the switch from private automobile.

We all know that times are changing and that no longer will buses be filled mostly with people who cannot afford or are unable to drive a car. High gas prices and concerns about climate change/pollution/health are motivating more middle class people to ride the bus.

But let's be honest: The structures of the bus systems here reinforce the stereotype that public transportation is for the poor and marginalized who should just be happy they have an option for getting to work. Do you think middle and upper middle class people in business suits are going to stand in the rain without cover at a bus stop? I've frequently driven by old black women doing just that.

On the other hand, private cars have their downsides and you suck up a lot of time waiting in traffic jams, buying gasoline, updating registration, taxes and insurance, and performing regular maintenance. You can't get work done in your car while driving, although unfortunately I catch drivers reading magazines from time to time. And not everyone can afford to drive a lush SUV with a navigation system and DVD player in the back for the kids. I bet just as many if not more people are cursing under their breath for car-related reasons than bus-related reasons.

I rode GTA once in my two years living in Greensboro and that is because my car battery died and I wasn't able to catch a ride with a coworker. I found the bus convenient (and nearly empty at the time), but I caught it in Lindley Park, just a couple miles from my job downtown. I now live in Glenwood and plan to take the bus in the future. But I cannot rely on the system the way it is currently set up.

The question came up in Taft's article of whether Greensboro Transit Authority employees actually ride the bus. I wonder this myself. Since it's the weekend, I can't call to find out but I want to know what the policy is for employees taking the bus to work. Many newspapers, including this one, require reporters to live in the cities or counties they cover. Shouldn't public transportation employees be required to take the bus at least occasionally? What about government employees in general or elected officials? That alone might motivate quicker changes.

Taft brought up a good point at the end of his main article. Other options exist for saving fuel costs other than taking the bus, such as riding a bike. Carpooling and telecommuting also get the job done.

One doesn't have to live next to a smokestack or mountain top removal coal mining site to understand and sympathize with the plight of people living on the underbelly of industrialization.

All one needs is a sense of decency and compassion. But as this country lurches from one economic crisis to another, the question becomes will decency and compassion or fear and competition undergird the next wave of jobs? And can the transition being pushed by many to a "green economy" happen without repeating the social sins of America's past?

About 200 activists, community organizers, educators, students and business owners struggled with this and other questions at a green jobs conference that took place on Saturday at N.C. Central University.

This movement, pioneered in New York and California, has taken hold in the Tar Heel state and folks wanted to know how North Carolinians could enable and benefit from new industries that pay adequate wages while reducing the state's dependency on fossil fuels and better managing its natural resources.

Sit in on a discussion about the jobs of the future and theories abound -- as do theorists -- as to the shape future jobs will take. Some people believe globalization will keep chugging along, with careers drawing upon math and science skills the high payers. Others agree that the next labor trend will fit within the existing capitalism paradigm, but it will have a green twist to it.

For example, the Ella Baker Center defines the green economy as "a rapidly growing billion-dollar sector that includes renewable energy sources, organic produce and products, green buildings, alternative fuel vehicles, and more."

The center defines a "green-collar job" as "a paid position providing environmentally-friendly products or services; term suggests high standards regarding fair wages, equal opportunity and healthy working conditions; employer may be a private business, government, non-profit or cooperative. For example: organic farmer, sustainable forestry worker, recycling technician or solar panel manufacturer."

In other words, the green economy is just a new-and-improved, decentralized version of industrialization. Investment flows to the most promising technologies and business ideas that ultimately generate more wealth. Green entrepreneurs also are motivated by a desire to stay competitive against other companies producing similar or identical products.

A national movement to reconnect today's youth with nature has picked up steam with multi-state "Take A Child Outside" initiatives and the recent U.S. House passage of the No Child Left Inside Act.

Question is, will local children get to play outside on a regular basis after the class field trips and organized nature events are over?

Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods," told a crowd of about 300 people at Greensboro Montessori School on Thursday that he longs for cultural and political change that keeps this back to nature movement from becoming another fad. His presentation and book signing was part of a week of events that sought to get children and their families outdoors.

"Our children have a fundamental right to that place in their hearts," Louv said. "When we cut that away from them we cut away a part of their humanity."

Louv then described his three-ring theory of cultural change, starting with program, then volunteers and last family or neighborhood-initiated activities. He said programs can fall victim to budget cuts and competition and volunteers can suffer from a lack of organization.

"What if an idea like that could catch on like neighborhood watches and block parties did in past decades?" Louv said.

He referred to examples of citizens taking it into their own hands to reconnect with nature, including Geeks in the Woods and a youth nature club called -- what else? -- "Girls Gone Wild."

It will be interesting to see what springs up in Greensboro and beyond. Perhaps I'll drive through neighborhoods and see more children climbing trees or playing in ravines. Or maybe I will overhear parents say they pulled their children out of formal extracurriculars to give them time for unstructured play. Any maybe I'll learn the joys of nature play myself so that I may establish a foundation for my infant daughter.