Live Green

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have collaborated on a digital the Charlotte Green Tour to convey the story of environmental assets and sustainability investments in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. The Charlotte Green Tours presents the environmental story as "themes" based on the type of asset in the categories of:

• Energy, Water
• Solid Waste
• Air & Transportation
• Parks & Green Space

A special theme of "Green Star" assets highlights environmentally-friendly features along Tryon Street in the Charlotte center city.

The Green Tour application is available as a mobile tour that generates a walking route for use in Uptown Charlotte or as desktop computer story map version. The application detects the type of device from which the link is accessed and presents either the desktop or mobile version.  The application is available on the Power2Charlotte and charmeck.org websites or can be accessed directly here: http://maps.charlottenc.gov/greentour/

Living green is much more than a simple catch phrase - it's a way of life. The City of Charlotte strives to be a catalyst to help our community to achieve a greener lifestyle.

Some of the ways that the "Power2" initiative is enacting this is through a series of energy effiency and environmental projects, challenges, educational and investment goals.

Within these "Power2" goals, you'll find solutions like: home audits, public transit incentives, bicycle education programs/bike rack installations, solar lighting replacements, and conservation workshops.

You may be wondering what steps you can take to "Live Green." Here's a list of initiatives and other ways to keep our planet healthy and happy.

1. Take a few minutes and do a home energy audit.
   
   
2. See how recycling can make an impact on our environment by being a supporter of our Get Caught Green Handed Program by using recycling bins and receptacles in your home and when you're out and about.
   
   
3. Purchase an energy meter for your home. According to The U.S. Department of Energy, "Saving energy reduces our nation's overall demand for resources needed to make energy... increasing your energy efficiency."
   
   
4. Learn about pollution prevention in your neighborhood.

Check out this list of smaller things you can do to start making a positive impact on your environment and energy bill:

• Change your light bulbs. With the change to Compact Floursecent light bulbs and other more energy efficient lighting, it's time to start changing your incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones like CFLs and LEDs.
  
  
• Lower the heat level on your water heater. According to www.TheDailyGreen.com, "Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees F (or lower) would reduce your water heating costs by 6% to 10%."
  
  
• Get a programmable thermostat. For every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you'll save between 1% and 3% of your heating bill.
  
  
• Buy Energy Star certified products. If a product for your home has an Energy Star logo on it, odds are you'll be saving energy and money. Read the energy comparison labels when shopping to make the best choice for your home.