A little over a month ago we lost Ray Anderson, a sustainability champion and chairman of Interface Carpet. Ray integrated business and sustainability with the passion of an evangelist. Ray was able to not only establish the business case for what he called “climbing mount sustainability”, but was able to touch the hearts of business leaders, entrepreneurs and students around the world. The journey that he launched for his company rewarded his employees and shareholders with sustained long term growth even amidst growing competition and constraints in his industry sector. He helped to lead the business community into the world of sustainable innovations. On August 8th, Ray passed away due to complications related to his fight against cancer. This day marked the end of Ray’s life, but not his legacy or his impact. Ray lives on as a legendary leader in a growing movement to see environment, society and economic prosperity not as either or propositions, but as yes and propositions.

I had the opportunity to participate in a stakeholder visioning session for the Flats this Tuesday Feb 23rd. It was a great opportunity to get a snap shot of the more than $2 billion worth of projects currently or soon to be underway in heart of downtown Cleveland. When we think of Cleveland many of us picture the skyline or the lake, but the river is really the lifeblood of our community. Seeing the number of projects and amount of activity sprouting up along the banks of the Cuyahoga is inspiring. I was particularly excited to see the fingerprints of SC2019 on many of the projects. Some of the projects highlighted were the Ohio City Farm, the Lorain Carnegie Bridge bike / pedestrian improvements, the Bike Rack and Rivergate Park. The presenters and the participants were all shepherding the message that SC2019 is bringing to the City.

MISSION: Sustainable Cleveland 2019 is a 10-year initiative that engages everyone to work together to design and develop a thriving and resilient Cleveland region that leverages its wealth of assets to build economic, social and environmental well-being for all.

Reading the Plain Dealer yesterday, I recognized the stark contrast between where the country’s dialogue is headed and where Ohio appears to be turning. President Obama mentioned in his State of the Union Address a goal to get 80% of our power from “clean” energy sources by 2035. At the same time Ohio’s utility companies seem to be struggling to get 0.030% of their energy from solar power by the end of 2011, as outlined in SB 221. I am concerned that the momentum we have generated may be tempered by the lack of action from utility providers and lack of enforcement from our regulatory agencies. There is still time but we need to make it clear that we want and must move forward in a direction that supports renewable & advanced energy resources, energy efficiency, local business development, and local sourcing.

Over the past couple years I have noticed a significant increase in bicycle activity here in Cleveland. In fact, a recent NOACA study indicates more than a 50% increase in cycling in Cuyahoga County. A smile comes to my face when I see the flashing lights of a bicycle commuter riding down the road, or a family riding at Edgewater Park on a Saturday. As we continue to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians it is important that we prepare truly multi-modal solutions for both of these types of users. I am excited by Clevelanders becoming more active and when people get out of the car and onto bikes, it is good for our health and for our environment. Articles like the downtown bike station story in the Plain Dealer makes me optimistic about the future of riding bikes in Cleveland. click here