As we head into 2012, many of us will be resolving to lose those few extra pounds, save more money, or spend a few more hours with our families and friends. But there are also some resolutions we can make to make our lives a little greener. Each of us, especially in the United States, can make a commitment to reducing our environmental impacts.

"The global community, and particularly people living in industrialized societies, have put unsustainable demands on our planet's limited resources," says Robert Engelman, President of the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental research organization based on Washington, D.C. "If we expect to be able to feed, shelter, and provide even basic living conditions to our growing population in years to come, we must act now to change."

The United Nations has designated 2012 as the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Broadening access to sustainable energy is essential to solving many of the world's challenges, including food production, security, and poverty.

"With so many hungry and poor in the world, addressing these issues is critical," says Danielle Nierenberg, director of Worldwatch's Nourishing the Planet project. "Fortunately, the solutions to these problems can come from simple innovations and practices."

The Nourishing the Planet team recently traveled to 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and will be soon traveling to Latin America, to research and highlight such solutions. The project shines a spotlight on innovations in agriculture that can help alleviate hunger and poverty while also protecting the environment. These innovations are elaborated in Worldwatch's flagship annual report, State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet. Hunger, poverty, and climate change are issues that we can all help address.

Here are 12 simple steps to go green in 2012:

(1) Recycle

Recycling programs exist in cities and towns across the United States, helping to save energy and protect the environment. In 2009, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to require all homes and businesses to use recycling and composting collection programs. As a result, more than 75 percent of all material collected is being recycled, diverting 1.6 million tons from the landfills annually----double the weight of the Golden Gate Bridge.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for each pound of aluminum recovered, Americans save the energy resources necessary to generate roughly 7.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity----enough to power a city the size of Pittsburgh for six years!

What you can do:

* Put a separate container next to your trash can or printer, making it easier to recycle your bottles, cans, and paper.

(2) Turn off the lights

On the last Saturday in March----March 31 in 2012----hundreds of people, businesses, and governments around the world turn off their lights for an hour as part of Earth Hour, a movement to address climate change.

What you can do:

* Earth Hour happens only once a year, but you can make an impact every day by turning off lights during bright daylight, or whenever you will be away for an extended period of time.

(3) Make the switch

In 2007, Australia became the first country to "ban the bulb," drastically reducing domestic usage of incandescent light bulbs. By late 2010, incandescent bulbs had been totally phased out, and, according to the country's environment minister, this simple move has made a big difference, cutting an estimated 4 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012. China also recently pledged to replace the 1 billion incandescent bulbs used in its government offices with more energy efficient models within five years.

What you can do:

* A bill in Congress to eliminate incandescent in the United States failed in 2011, but you can still make the switch at home. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use only 20-30 percent of the energy required by incandescents to create the same amount of light, and LEDs use only 10 percent, helping reduce both electric bills and carbon emissions.

(4) Turn on the tap

The bottled water industry sold 8.8 billion gallons of water in 2010, generating nearly $11 billion in profits. Yet plastic water bottles create huge environmental problems. The energy required to produce and transport these bottles could fuel an estimated 1.5 million cars for a year, yet approximately 75 percent of water bottles are not recycled----they end up in landfills, litter roadsides, and pollute waterways and oceans. And while public tap water is subject to strict safety regulations, the bottled water industry is not required to report testing results for its products. According to a study, 10 of the most popular brands of bottled water contain a wide range of pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, fertilizer residue, and arsenic.

What you can do:

* Fill up your glasses and reusable water bottles with water from the sink. The United States has more than 160,000 public water systems, and by eliminating bottled water you can help to keep nearly 1 million tons of bottles out of the landfill, as well as save money on water costs.

(5) Turn down the heat

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that consumers can save up to 15 percent on heating and cooling bills just by adjusting their thermostats. Turning down the heat by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours can result in savings of 5-15 percent on your home heating bill.

What you can do:

* Turn down your thermostat when you leave for work, or use a programmable thermostat to control your heating settings.

(6) Support food recovery programs

Each year, roughly a third of all food produced for human consumption----approximately 1.3 billion tons----gets lost or wasted, including 34 million tons in the United States, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Grocery stores, bakeries, and other food providers throw away tons of food daily that is perfectly edible but is cosmetically imperfect or has passed its expiration date. In response, food recovery programs run by homeless shelters or food banks collect this food and use it to provide meals for the hungry, helping to divert food away from landfills and into the bellies of people who need it most.

What you can do:

* Encourage your local restaurants and grocery stores to partner with food rescue organizations, like City Harvest in New York City or Second Harvest Heartland in Minnesota.

* Go through your cabinets and shelves and donate any non-perishable canned and dried foods that you won't be using to your nearest food bank or shelter.

(7) Buy local

"Small Business Saturday," falling between "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday," was established in 2010 as a way to support small businesses during the busiest shopping time of the year. Author and consumer advocate Michael Shuman argues that local small businesses are more sustainable because they are often more accountable for their actions, have smaller environmental footprints, and innovate to meet local conditions----providing models for others to learn from.

What you can do:

* Instead of relying exclusively on large supermarkets, consider farmers markets and local farms for your produce, eggs, dairy, and meat. Food from these sources is usually fresher and more flavorful, and your money will be going directly to these food producers.

(8) Get out and ride

We all know that carpooling and using public transportation helps cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, as well as our gas bills. Now, cities across the country are investing in new mobility options that provide exercise and offer an alternative to being cramped in subways or buses. Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C. have major bike sharing programs that allow people to rent bikes for short-term use. Similar programs exist in other cities, and more are planned for places from Miami, Florida, to Madison, Wisconsin.

What you can do:

* If available, use your city's bike share program to run short errands or commute to work. Memberships are generally inexpensive (only $75 for the year in Washington, D.C.), and by eliminating transportation costs, as well as a gym membership, you can save quite a bit of money!

* Even if without bike share programs, many cities and towns are incorporating bike lanes and trails, making it easier and safer to use your bike for transportation and recreation.

(9) Share a car

Car sharing programs spread from Europe to the United States nearly 13 years ago and are increasingly popular, with U.S. membership jumping 117 percent between 2007 and 2009. According to the University of California Transportation Center, each shared car replaces 15 personally owned vehicles, and roughly 80 percent of more than 6,000 car-sharing households surveyed across North America got rid of their cars after joining a sharing service. In 2009, car-sharing was credited with reducing U.S. carbon emissions by more than 482,000 tons. Innovative programs such as Chicago's I-GO are even introducing solar-powered cars to their fleets, making the impact of these programs even more eco-friendly.

What you can do:

* Join a car share program! As of July 2011, there were 26 such programs in the U.S., with more than 560,000 people sharing over 10,000 vehicles. Even if you don't want to get rid of your own car, using a shared car when traveling in a city can greatly reduce the challenges of finding parking (car share programs have their own designated spots), as well as your environmental impact as you run errands or commute to work.

(10) Plant a garden

Whether you live in a studio loft or a suburban McMansion, growing your own vegetables is a simple way to bring fresh and nutritious food literally to your doorstep. Researchers at the FAO and the United Nations Development Programme estimate that 200 million city dwellers around the world are already growing and selling their own food, feeding some 800 million of their neighbors. Growing a garden doesn't have to take up a lot of space, and in light of high food prices and recent food safety scares, even a small plot can make a big impact on your diet and wallet.

What you can do:

* Plant some lettuce in a window box. Lettuce seeds are cheap and easy to find, and when planted in full sun, one window box can provide enough to make several salads worth throughout a season.

(11) Compost

And what better way to fertilize your garden than using your own composted organic waste. You will not only reduce costs by buying less fertilizer, but you will also help to cut down on food and other organic waste.

What you can do:

* If you are unsure about the right ways to compost, websites such as HowToCompost.org and organizations such as the U.S. Composting Council, provide easy steps to reuse your organic waste.

(12) Reduce your meat consumption

Livestock production accounts for about 18 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for about 23 percent of all global water used in agriculture. Yet global meat production has experienced a 20 percent growth rate since 2000 to meet the per capita increase of meat consumption of about 42 kilograms.

What you can do:

* You don't have to become a vegetarian or vegan, but by simply cutting down on the amount of meat you consume can go a long way. Consider substituting one meal day with a vegetarian option. And if you are unable to think of how to substitute your meat-heavy diet, websites such as Meatless Monday and Eating Well offer numerous vegetarian recipes that are healthy for you and the environment.

The most successful and lasting New Year's resolutions are those that are practiced regularly and have an important goal. Watching the ball drop in Times Square happens only once a year, but for more and more people across the world, the impacts of hunger, poverty, and climate change are felt every day. Thankfully, simple practices, such as recycling or riding a bike, can have great impact. As we prepare to ring in the new year, let's all resolve to make 2012 a healthier, happier, and greener year for all.

Article provided by the Worldwatch Institute: Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. The Institute's State of the World report is published annually in more than 20 languages. For more information, visit worldwatch.org

MARBIDCO Announces Recipients for the Maryland Value Added Producer Grant Program
    
Annapolis-- The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) announced today the recipients of a total of $195,500 in grant award investments that will help a number of agricultural businesses with implementing value-added projects located in ten counties around Maryland.   Out of nineteen project requests that were submitted in a competitive process, thirteen were selected for funding after a thorough review. These grants will assist the recipients in diversifying their businesses to include activities ranging from making cheese and ice cream to enhancing opportunities for agritourism.

The Maryland Value Added Producer Grant – Capital Assets Option (MVAPG-CAO) Program was launched for the first time during the summer of 2010. The program has now been established as a yearly offering by MARBIDCO to encourage Maryland’s agricultural producers to expand or diversify their business operations by installing capital assets to make or support a product that is “value-added”.  A by-product of this effort will help to spur job creation and retention in rural and urban-edge communities. Eligible applicants must be a crop or livestock producer or processor, agricultural cooperative, seafood processor, or timber products processor. Selected applicants may receive up to $20,000 to assist with purchasing or installing farm structures and major fixtures, livestock or seafood product processing facilities, fruit or vegetable processing facilities, timber or wood products facilities, or manure digesters. And each recipient must also provide at least a 100% cash match. The average award amount in 2011 is approximately $15,000.

"MARBIDCO is truly delighted to be able to assist these small and typically family-run enterprises with matching funds to help further their entrepreneurial business development aspirations," said Steve McHenry, MARBIDCO Executive Director. "It can be quite a lot of work, but value-added processing is a viable way for farmers to find new markets for their products, increase farm-gate revenues, expand local job opportunities, and help sustain agricultural operations for the next generation."

“As exemplified through the grants announced today, MARBIDCO plays an important role in helping farmers innovate for the future and supports the health and vitality of Maryland’s traditional rural businesses,” said Secretary of Agriculture Buddy Hance.  

The following is a brief overview of the thirteen projects selected to receive funding under the MVAPG-CAO program this year:

•    Baugher Enterprises, Inc. (Carroll County) - Matching funds to complete the process of purchasing and installing pasteurization equipment for a cider-making enterprise.

•    Mark Cascia Vineyards (Queen Anne's County) - Matching funds to purchase two fixed top tanks with cooling jackets and two variable capacity tanks for wine making.

•    Cedar Hill Farm (Harford County) - Matching funds to install a commercial kitchen on this dairy farm to enhance the family's cheese-making capabilities.

•    Boordy Vineyards (Baltimore County) - Matching funds to purchase software and equipment for the implementation of an innovative marketing campaign to expand a higher value niche market for Maryland-grown (rather than imported) grapes.

•    Rocky Point Creamery (Frederick County) - Matching funds to purchase and install equipment for making ice cream and developing a farm retail/agri-tourism facility.

•    Misty Meadow Farm (Washington County) - Matching funds to purchase ice cream making equipment for a multi-generational family dairy operation.

•    Shepherds Manor Creamery, LLC (Carroll County) - Matching funds to purchase a yogurt fill and heat seal machine for a family-run sheep dairy operation (which is perhaps the only such operation of its type in Maryland).  

•    Chesapeake Bay Dairy (Worcester County) - Matching funds to purchase ice cream and pasteurization equipment for a family-run dairy farm (which is one of the last remaining dairies on Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore).

•    Kilby Cream (Cecil County) - Matching funds to purchase a cheese vat, cheese making supplies and yogurt making equipment on a family-run dairy that currently makes ice cream and bottles milk.

•    Lockbriar Farms (Kent County) - Matching funds to purchase equipment for the production of fruit-flavored ice cream using farm-raised fruit and locally-sourced dairy products.

•    Eve's Cheese (Kent County) - Matching funds to purchase and install a milk tank for segregating Jersey (higher fat content) milk destined for cheese production on this family dairy operation.

•    Nice Farms Creamery, LLC (Caroline County) - Matching funds to purchase a cream separator for milk production on this family-run dairy farm.

•    Clemsonville Christmas Tree Farm (Frederick County) - Matching funds to complete a nature maze trail on this Christmas tree operation.

Seeking Participants for New LIFE Class that Begins in January 2012

The Legacy Institute for the Environment (LIFE) is seeking Maryland
residents who are interested in learning more about environmental education,restoration, protection, and research programs, and who would like to help environmental nonprofit organizations in their stewardship activities.

Our 2012 Institute offers an opportunity for participants to learn more about the Chesapeake Bay's fragile ecosystem, and then join with others in volunteer service on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
(CBEC) in Grasonville.

The Institute provides environmental education and service learning
opportunities through engaging and flexible educational sessions and field
experiences. Many leading governmental agencies and an array of
environmental organizations join us in offering this program that seeks to
enhance environmental centers' efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake
Bay ecosystem.

Beginning February 2012, we will hold weekly education sessions on Fridays
for 9 weeks from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at CBEC. This will be followed by
opportunities for hands-on activities at the center and elsewhere over the
course of the year. The Institute is both informative and fun, and it offers
involvement in stewardship activities that fit the time and talents of older
adults.

This program is partly funded through a grant received from the United Way.
We are grateful to the United Way for their support and look forward to
improving upon an already successful program. If you are interested or have
questions, contact Courtney Leigh at 443-262-2032 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Greening the Workplace 2011:
Engaging Employees to Benefit the Planet and the Bottom Line

Shareholder pressure and greater demands for corporate accountability are the fastest growing catalysts for greener workplaces, according to a new survey released today by Brighter Planet, a leading provider of carbon and energy calculations.

Twenty-three percent of employees polled said their organization’s employee conservation programs were motivated primarily by pressure from shareholders and increasing demands for for improved corporate governance, nearly double the 13 percent in Brighter Planet’s first employee engagement survey in 2009.

The main driver for sustainability efforts in the workplace remains sales and marketing, according to 30 percent of employees polled. After shareholder pressure, product development is the third ranking motivator at 13 percent, up from 11 percent in the previous survey.

More than half of all employees surveyed said their workplaces have sustainability programs, a 5 percent increase from two years ago, showing a steadily rising trend for companies, government agencies and other organizations in greening their work sites.

However, Brighter Planet’s survey also found that many employees believe their companies and organizations are doing a poor job of implementing efficient, user-friendly sustainability efforts. The percentage of very effective or somewhat effective programs dropped 8% compared to findings in 2009.

“Demands for corporate and social accountability are at an all-time high," said Patti Prairie, Brighter Planet CEO.  "Many organizations are floundering in their efforts to promote sustainability.  Our survey and analysis is a guide for engaging employees in initiatives that can have a direct impact on the triple bottom line—people, profits and the planet.”

Brighter Planet conducted the employee engagement survey as part of its company mission to help businesses and organizations operate more efficiently, conserve energy and save money while improving the planet.
 
The full 2011 report is attached to this message and can also be found here: <http://attachments.brighterplanet.com/press_items/local_copies/105/original/employee_engagement_2011.pdf?1322867541> .


Other key findings of Brighter Planet’s survey of approximately 1,000 employees show:

·        Financial services, government and wholesale sectors are the laggards in sustainability efforts, while environmental, energy, utility, and non-profit organizations get the highest ratings for program effectiveness.  Smaller organizations tend to outperform larger ones.

·        The most effective programs promote sustainability in emerging areas like business travel, purchasing, water use, and food at much higher rates than their ineffective counterparts. That said the most common areas of sustainability engagement are still waste and recycling, energy use, and commuting.

·        Employees are the main advocates for sustainability, but since 2009 management has starting taking a greater role and is now the main green advocate at one in five organizations.

·        Organizations with a system for employees to share ideas—including use of electronic media—were more than six times as likely to have programs rated as “very effective” by employees.

·        Workplaces that collected data on their carbon footprint, the impact of staff travel and commuting, and employee sustainability efforts were about three times as likely to have a “very effective” program as those that did not collect such information.

More info:

www.brighterplanet.com <http://www.brighterplanet.com/>

Board of Public Works Approves Easement Purchases of 563 Acres of Farmland
State and Local Combine for $4 Million Investment

ANNAPOLIS, MD– Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the Board of Public Works approved the purchase of four easements protecting 563 acres of prime Maryland farmland in four counties for approximately $4 million in State and local funding. This approval brings the total farmland protected in perpetuity by the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) in Maryland to 286,660 acres. The Board is comprised of the Governor, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Maryland has one of the strongest agricultural land preservation records in the nation. Each easement purchase proves our commitment to keep farming a viable and sustainable industry in our State,” said Governor O'Malley. “By working with our local partners through the MALPF program, we will keep Maryland's future smart, green and growing by helping farmers stay on their land, preserving open space, protecting our environment, and maintaining the rich agricultural heritage of our State.”

Created by the General Assembly in 1977, MALPF purchases agricultural preservation easements that forever restrict development on prime farmland and woodland and has permanently preserved land in each of Maryland’s 23 counties, representing a public investment of over $605 million. With county and other state preservation programs, nearly 558,914 acres of farmland are protected in Maryland. This is the greatest ratio of farmland preserved to total landmass of any state.

According to a survey conducted by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy last year, public opinion supports this investment.  A full 97 percent of respondents believe that it is important that the state preserve farmland for farming.  Marylanders believe that farms and the products they produce should remain a part of the State’s culture and economy. A summary of Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation Easement Purchases by County, November 16, 2011, is available online at: http://www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/11-16-11_bpw_malpf.pdf.

Maryland Receives Federal Crop Disaster Designation for 15 Counties due to Widespread Crop Losses Resulting from Extreme Weather
    
ANNAPOLIS, MD –  Governor Martin O’Malley received approval from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack for Maryland’s request for a disaster designation for widespread crop losses due to extreme weather conditions this year, which included excessive heat, drought, and damage resulting from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

“Because farmers throughout most of Maryland experienced significant crop losses, we requested a disaster designation and thank Secretary Vilsack for granting it,” said Governor O’Malley.  “It is our hope that the designation will provide relief to the farmers who need it and help them prepare for the next growing season.”

“From April through October, Maryland farmers experienced widespread crop losses due to a variety of extreme weather conditions ranging from excessive heat, drought and flooding,” said Buddy Hance, secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture.  “Farmers in the disaster designation areas experienced market value losses exceeding 30 percent.”

This designation makes farm operators in the 15 primary counties - Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester - as well as the counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Harford, Prince George's, and the independent city of Baltimore - eligible to be considered for assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met.  Farmers must have purchased crop insurance on eligible crops to quality for USDA disaster assistance programs.

This assistance includes USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA will consider each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses, security available, and repayment ability. SURE Program applications for 2011 crop losses will be accepted in 2012, when the 2011 farm revenue data required by statute becomes available.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission's (SMADC) So. Maryland, So Good "Farms for the Holidays" Guide lists farms in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties offering locally grown or produced products during the holiday season.

The guide features original farm-made gifts, fresh farm foods, award-winning wines, fragrant, locally-grown Christmas trees and holiday decor.

For a memorable Southern Maryland holiday experience, the free "Farms for the Holidays" guide also lists farm events for the whole family including visits with Santa, nativity scenes with live farm animals, open houses at local Alpaca farms, candlelight caroling walks, hayrides and even 'how-to' workshops for wreaths and more.

Download the full digital version of the guide now at the SMADC website, or pick up a printed copy beginning December 2nd at regional libraries and other designated distribution sites. Visit www.smadc.com for more information, or call SMADC staff at 301-274-1922 Ex. 1.

First Acute Care Facility in State of Maryland to Receive Prestigious Environmental Award

AAMC is the only acute care facility in the state of Maryland to receive the award and is one of only 183 healthcare sites in the United States to do so.  

“As one of the busiest hospitals in the state of Maryland with more than 30,000 inpatient admissions, we’ve had to be innovative and look at all of our practices to see where we could be more environmentally responsible,” said Victoria Bayless, president & CEO, Anne Arundel Medical Center.  “Achieving LEED certification to the Gold level is a remarkable accomplishment for an organization such as ours.  Unlike other buildings, we don’t have the option of turning the lights off at 5pm.   As we strive to be a better partner to our community, this award reflects our vision of Living Healthier Together.”

In April, AAMC opened a new patient tower that was built with environmental sustainability at is core.  The building achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. The pavilion includes an expanded emergency room for adults designed to treat some 100,000 patients annually, a new, dedicated pediatric emergency room and pediatric in-patient unit, 50 new private patient rooms, eight new operating rooms and a new 1,600-space garage.  

“Building operations are nearly 40% of the solution to the global climate change challenge,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “While climate change is a global problem, innovative organizations like AAMC are addressing it through local solutions.”

LEED certification of AAMC was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community.  These features include:

• 16,700 square-feet living roof, replacing the traditional asphalt roof.
• 33% savings in water thanks to the low flow fixtures and utilization of native plantings that thrive with little water, thus eliminating the need for irrigation systems.
• 18-20% energy conservation by installing a highly efficient HVAC system, including chillers and chiller plant controls and a dehumidification system.
• 90% energy conservation on lights alone in operating rooms by implementing LED lights.
• 1,750 tons of waste were diverted during construction from the landfill. That’s a 93.3% recycling rate.
• 2,100 lbs. of alkaline batteries and 7,000 lbs. of UPS batteries were collected and recycled in 2010.
• 87% of the steel in AAMC’s beams and columns is pure scrap, recycled by a world-class steel company just a short drive from the eco-friendly parking lot.

By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

“I congratulate Anne Arundel Medical Center for its commitment to ensuring that its new patient tower meets the LEED standard of sustainability and energy-efficiency,” said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin.  “Our future depends on more companies and businesses working towards LEED certification in new structures so we can reduce energy costs and preserve our environment.”

Photo Caption:

Carolyn Core, SVP of Corporate Services, Anne Arundel Health System; Lex Birney, CEO of The Brick Companies; Julie Natoli, COO of The Brick Companies; Victoria Bayless, , president and CEO, Anne Arundel Health System stand before the AAMC Environmental Sustainability Exhibit at AAMC, which was made possible by the generosity of The Brick Companies of Edgewater, MD.

About Anne Arundel Health System

Anne Arundel Health System is the parent organization of Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging, Pathways Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center, and three satellite locations AAMC – Health Services in Bowie, Waugh Chapel, and Kent Island.  AAMC, founded in 1902 as the Annapolis Emergency Hospital, is a not-for-profit hospital that provides acute inpatient and outpatient care to residents of the region, encompassing Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s and Calvert Counties. In April 2011, the hospital completed its $424 million expansion project, which included a pediatric emergency room, an expanded general emergency room, 50 new patient beds, and eight new operating rooms.  Anne Arundel Health System employs more than 3,500 with 755 members of the medical staff and more than 700 auxilians.  


About U.S. Green Building Council

The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

With a community comprising 80 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 167,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.