Sustainability Resources

Introduction

Spokane Public Library has developed a new Green Spokane Collection of books and media on sustainability and environmental issues.  You can browse the collection at the Downtown Library on the second floor.  The collection was developed in conjunction with the Mayor's Sustainability Task Force, with funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce. 

Here is one definition of sustainability from Washington State University:

• Sustainable developments are those which fulfill present and future needs while only using and not harming renewable resources and unique human-environmental systems of a site: air, water, land, energy, and human ecology and/or those of other off-site sustainable systems.
  

The following links provide local resources on sustainability. 

- taxpayer-funded subscription database - requires city library card outside of library

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General Background

• You can find general background information on sustainability by checking out books and other media in the library's new Green Spokane Collection on the Second Floor at the Downtown Library
• Encyclopedia of Environment and Society - provides issues, concepts, theories, examples, problems, and policies, with the goal of explicating an emerging way of thinking about people and nature
• Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change - explores major topics related to global warming and climate change - ranging geographically from the North Pole to the South Pole, and thematically from social effects to scientific causes
• DownToEarthNW.com - resource for the latest local and national news about conservation, sustainability efforts, organic techniques and general "Green" living, from the Spokesman Review
  
• Futurewise is a statewide public interest group working to promote healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland, forests and shorelines today and for future generations
  
• Go Green Directory is a local directory for green services and products, including many of the topics below, such as green building and sustainable lifestyles. This is a very large file and may take a while to download
  
• GreenFile is a free database of articles and reports focusing on the relationship between human beings and the environment, with well-researched but accessible information on topics ranging from global warming to recycling to alternate fuel sources and beyond
• Green Spokane Resources from the city's Sustainability Task Force lists reports and programs, especially on governmental policy
• Northwest Climate Change Center is a nonprofit firm designed to enable businesses and communities in the Pacific Northwest region to improve sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change and global oil depletion
• Sustainable Spokane Blog has current news on local sustainability topics
• Sustainable Washington includes topical links from the Washington Office of Financial Management

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Local Environment

• The City of Spokane has its Environmental Standards and Shoreline Management ordinances online.  Here are the County Environmental Codes
• Spokane County Conservation District is a legal subdivision of state government formed to provide a means for local people to solve local resource conservation problems
• The Spokane County Extension Agent  provides information on sustainable and waterwise landscaping
• Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency administers state, federal, and local laws and regulations regarding air pollution control in Spokane County
• State Environmental Resources list from the library's State Documents Librarian is a quick list of state departments dedicated to environmental issues
• The Water Stewardship Program from the City's Water Department has helpful tips on saving water in your home and landscape

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Green Building & Energy Efficiency

• Use these searches to find books on this topic at the library: ecological houses, sustainable buildings, and energy conservation
• Avista Utilities has energy saving tips, including a home energy audit
• Bonneville Power Administration offers other energy saving suggestions
• The City Building Department has a nice list of green building web resources
• EcoDepot is a local commercial source for green and energy efficient building materials.  The Go Green Directory lists other local green building supplies and contractors
• The Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards are set by Washington State for public housing projects, but are good guidelines for all development
• Spokane Community Colleges offers green building training programs
• Inland Northwest Built Green directory of certified green professionals
• Inland Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is another contact for those who want to build in a sustainable manner
• SustainableWorks is a community development corporation formed by Spokane Alliance to provide energy efficient retrofits for small businesses and non-profits

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Green Business

• The library has many books on the green economy and green jobs. Search under environmental business, environmental industrial, and environmental vocational
• SMART Business Recognition Program is designed to encourage Spokane businesses to adopt policies and practices that encourage good management of financial, built, natural and human capital 
• Sustainable Local Investment Partners is a nonprofit that provides local people with an avenue to invest with local financial institutions who, in turn, make loans to local businesses who commit to sustainable business practices.

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Sustainable Lifestyle

• The library has many books on a sustainable lifestyle, including many in the Green Spokane collection. Here are a few sample subject keyword searches that will give good results - sustainable living, waste minimization, cookery (natural foods), organic living, green products, and recycling
• The Downtown Library has many magazines that cater to a sustainable lifestyle. Here are a few examples: Adbusters, Countryside and Small Stock Journal, E: the Environmental Magazine, Environment, MaryJanesFarm, Mother Earth News, and Natural Home .  Similar magazines can be found online through our magazine databases
• Encyclopedia of Food and Culture - in this database you can search for articles on organic food and sustainable agriculture
  
• DownToEarthNW.com's Blogs - includes local blogs on sustainable living and travel
  
• The Spokane Eat Local Challenge website lists local farmers' markets, farms, and restaurants that feature local food
• Spokane Neighborhood Action Program's Living Green program offers events and classes on sustainable living
• The Spokane Regional Solid Waste System has background on all the different types of recycling available in the area

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Transportation Alternatives

• MyCommute.org is the local Commute Trip Reduction program's website. It includes a commuter calendar and describes alternative transportation options in Spokane
• SmartRoutes Spokane's mission is to create a first-class walking and bicycling community through a coalition of local agencies and organizations. The site includes maps, a list of proposed projects, and various planning documents
  
• Spokane Biodiesel Cooperative has a very basic website, but is a good local contact for alternative fuels
• Spokane Transit Authority, the local bus service, includes a trip planner and route information, STA's Transit Development Plan, and a factsheet on their new hybrid buses
  

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