Additional Resources Applicable for
Businesses and Industries, Communities, Local Governments or Schools
Air Quality
Climate Change and Global Warming
President Bush committed the United States to an ambitious climate change strategy that will reduce domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to the size of the American economy. The United States will achieve this goal by cutting its GHG intensity -- how much it emits per unit of economic activity -- by 18% over the next 10 years. This strategy will set America on a path to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, and -- as the science justifies -- to stop, and then reverse that growth. The President's policy also continues the United States' leadership role in supporting vital climate change research, laying the groundwork for future action by investing in science, technology, and institutions. In addition, the United States' strategy emphasizes international cooperation and promotes working with other nations to develop an efficient and coordinated response to global climate change. In taking prudent environmental action at home and abroad, the United States is advancing a pro-growth, pro-development approach to addressing this important global challenge.
- Fight Global Warming
- Global Warming and South Carolina
- EPA
- What Control’s South Carolina’s Climate?
- 30 Days Towards Sustainability
- Undo Global Warming – Calculate Your Family’s Impact
- Ecological Footprint Quiz – Calculate Your Individual Impact
Water Quality
Adopt-a-Beach
The Adopt-a-Beach program is part of our Marine Debris Initiative and is a great way for businesses, civic clubs, school groups and neighborhood associations to make a significant contribution to the preservation of our wonderful coastal environment. Everyone who participates in a beach cleanup becomes a powerful advocate for the beach against litter.
Environmental Resources
Earth Day.gov
Ways to take action on your own while at school, home, and work!
Earth Day Network
Every Day for Everybody.
Energy Conservation
Energy Star Home Builders in South Carolina
A New Energy Star Qualified Home Improves our Environment and Saves Money.
U.S. EPA Energy Conservation Energy Plan
Opportunities for energy conservation are increasingly available in almost every application in any setting. Home, school, office, and industrial environments have all benefited from cost-saving and energy-saving innovations. The advantages of energy conservation have been quantified on the local level as tons of air-pollutants avoided and dollars saved. Reduction in global green house gas emissions are also quantified with the benefit of reduced warming affect. Sites below provide a wealth of information useful in the home and community, and sources for additional policy information, data on technologies and how to order energy saving products.
Environmental Justice
U.S. EPA
Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this Nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.
U.S. Dept of Transportation
A 1994 Presidential Order directed every Federal agency to make environmental justice part of its mission. The DOT is committed to a comprehensive, inclusive approach. Get the basics here.
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club supports local communities in their struggles for a clean and healthy environment for people of color and others whose neighborhoods have been targeted by polluting industries.
Fuel Economy
U.S. EPA
EPA has finalized new methods used to determine the City and Highway estimates that appear on the window stickers of new cars and trucks. The city and highway miles per gallon (MPG) estimates help consumers compare the fuel economy of different vehicles. Although no single test can ever account for the wide variety of driving conditions and styles, the new methods will bring the MPG estimates closer to the fuel economy consumers actually achieve on the road by taking into account conditions such as higher speeds, cold temperature operation and use of air conditioning. The new MPG estimates will take effect with 2008 models.
Edmunds Fuels
Vehicle tips and advice.
Going Green
Global Green
a new approach to solving the world's most pressing environmental challenges by reconnecting humanity to the environment.
Green Buildings
The buildings in which we live, work, and play protect us from Nature's extremes, yet they also affect our health and environment in countless ways. The design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal of buildings takes enormous amounts of energy, water, and materials, and generates large quantities of waste, air and water pollution, as well as creating stormwater runoff and heat islands. Buildings also develop their own indoor environments, which present an array of health challenges. Where and how they are built affects wildlife habitat and corridors and the hydrologic cycle, while influencing the overall quality of human life.
- The Upstate House
Upstate House & Woodland Garden is a joint venture of the Home Builders Association of Greenville, South Carolina and Upstate Forever, a not-for-profit “promoting sensible growth and protection of special places” in the Upstate region of South Carolina. It is both a demonstration project – promoting more environmentally friendly living -- and a fundraising project to promote the EarthCraft House green building standard in the Upstate. Carlton & Brenda Owen originally envisioned the concept in early 2000. Five years later that vision is taking shape in the home that they will occupy in Greenville’s Pettigru Historic District at 620 Pettigru Street. - Green Building Alliance
- Greener Buildings
- U.S. EPA Elements of Green Buildings
- U.S. Green Building Council
Green Vehicles - U.S. EPA Green Vehicle Guide
Use this guide to choose the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs.
Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program
Hydrogen and fuel cells have the potential to solve several major challenges facing America today: dependence on petroleum imports, poor air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. The Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Technologies Program is working with partners to accelerate the development and successful market introduction of these technologies.
Recycling
Call 2 Recycle
Recycling Rechargeable Batteries and Cell Phones.
eCycling
How to recycle electronic waste.
Renewable Energy
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
S.C. Energy Office
Renewable resources available in South Carolina
U.S. Dept of Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable
Trees for the Future
Trees for the Future is a 501(c)(3) public charity which has assisted thousands families to reclaim 56,000 acres of "degraded and abandoned” land through the planting of non-invasive trees. Each year these trees remove upwards of 1,600,000 tons of global warming carbon dioxide from the earth’s atmosphere, converting the carbon into food, medicines, shelter and other beneficial products.