An update on Villaraigosa's Green L.A. plan

Remember that Green L.A. plan Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced back in May? Los Angeles CityBeat has a detailed report today on what exactly has happened so far -- and the findings are not exactly encouraging, but not altogether depressing either.

To review: The goal of Green L.A. is basically to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions to 35% below 1990 levels by 2030. How? By reducing emissions from the L.A. and Long Beach ports, public and private buildings, the airport, the city-owned Department of Water and Power, and city-owned vehicles. Beyond that, the Green L.A. plan aims to reduce particulate matter emissions and to encourage L.A. residents to go green.

But apparently, the first draft of the plan got tossed out. Since, Villaraigosa's office has been working with an independent consortium of environmental groups, confusingly also named Green L.A., to engage the public about how to live more greenly.

Unfortunately, the plan now seems to be put together in a rushed manner -- and also vastly underfunded. According to LA CityBeat, "The entire budget for city of Los Angeles this year is $6.8 billion, and the budget for the L.A. Environmental Affairs Department is $3.24 million. The mayor has estimated the cost of the Green L.A. plan to be at least $10 billion."

Hmmm.... For now, here are parts of the plan that you can get involved in most directly:

• Plant a tree as part of the Million Trees L.A. initiative if you have a spot of land-- though this initiative has come under attack for distributing trees to people who have no plans to plant or care for the trees (including myself).
• Change two light bulbs -- for free if the mayor comes through with his plan to distribute two CFL bulbs to each household in L.A. Current status: Villaraigosa's office is getting the CFLs via a bidding process.
• Recycle more, especially if you live in an apartment complex, by taking advantage of the free, relatively new multihousehold recycling program. Unfortunately, my readers tell me it takes a long while before you actually get your blue bins....

And you can always put in your two cents on Villaraigosa's Green L.A. program by calling 800-GREEN LA or by using this webform.

(h/t Lisa)