The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
White towels, tan sands, blue skies - and one officially green resort.
Virginia Beach named itself the state's first "green destination" at a North End ceremony Thursday.
A few months back, the Virginia Green program told the city it would approve the moniker if 20 restaurants, 12 hotels, one attraction and the Virginia Beach Convention Center could be certified as places working toward environmentally conscious habits.
The Green Team, as the grassroots advocates called themselves, did better, certifying 20 restaurants, 16 hotels, four attractions and five events - plus the convention hall.
Apparently, it's easier being green than you'd think.
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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LWH
With all due respect, "green" is not a generic subjective term that the individual should be able to call themselves if they think they're causing less environmental damage than the guy next to them. That's a copout answer that people use when they want to take shortcuts and half measures without really addressing the problem.
If you want constructive criticism regarding green development, look into the U.S. Green Building Council, read up on Sustainability and green roof initiatives, demand that Virginia Beach begin requiring LEED rated buildings for new development and look into getting Virginia Beach working towards LEED Certified Neighborood Development.
LWH..
I have to agree with you. There are some spiteful and bitter people who live to bemoan anything anybody does to improve a situation. Any and all efforts to recycle, use environmentally safer products, buy recycled products, use items that have lower energy requirements, etc should be applauded. I am really becoming disgusted at how vitriolic our nation is becoming. It seems to be heading more in the direction of "why do it" rather than "can do it" and much of it seems politically oriented. Mention the mere word conservation or green and for some it conjures up images of "tree-hugging, long haired, willy nilly, liberal, socialist" types who are out to destroy the country and what it stands for-in their opinion. I say bravo to the forward thinking folks who do whatever they can to use less energy and operate cleaner and pollute less.
What Being GREEN Means....
Let’s purge “Greenwashing”. It is a bit of a fad word in and of itself, as critical folks like to categorize others trying to portray themselves as green but, are not all the way there, yet. At least they are doing something – and you can give them credit for that! A little bit of constructive criticism, may help to get them to do more. “Green” is really a personal definition based on what is important to that individual. "Green" is also a generic term for something that has a moderate effect on the environment. A “Green” business, product or service is one that causes less harm to the environment.“Going Green” goals are to preserve natural resources, protect water, soil and air quality. Green is not about any (1) solution for a given issue it is all about figuring out a better way to do things with a commitment to due diligence to thoughtfully assess environmental impacts and wastefulness.
From Most Points of View, GreenWash is the Result
It is commendable for the CoVB to seek recognition under a program more worthy than striving for upscale designation sought by resort area designers. The Ocean and surrounding natural areas deserve no less than a Green moniker and a benevolent protector. However, achievements noted in the article are not much more than greenwash atop faded grey of concrete and asphalt. What are called parks at Resort area are smaller than Bay Colony yards. What are termed green structures contain acres of street level parking with impervious surfaces and ill-thought connection to I-264. Idling vehicles abound with stalled cross town traffic, the ampitheater another horror story. If serious, CoVB would retrofit all parking garages with green roofing or provide park like setting atop them. No new construction without green elements being considered, solar panels, hot water by sun, reclaimed sto
Too funny!
This is so hilarious! A 'green' city that loves to cut down trees and eliminate green areas and build up as many buildings as it can is rated as being 'green?'
This belongs in someone's 'Stupid News' file.
Congratulations to the Virginia Beach Green Team
This Green effort is a Team of grassroots volunteers in the hospitality industry, a private ad hoc if you will, to support our local hospitality colleagues to join this green movement and together establish a “critical mass” of businesses, many locally owned and operated. Once the goal was obtained we would be rewarded with a VA Green Destination certificate for our commitment to eco-friendly practices and to hopefully inspire others to join or maybe even you, reading this. Why? Not because Government imposed this, nor did anyone benefit financially - because, it is just the right thing to do, and we’d like to see our city move in this direction. That's it. There's no place for trivializing or demeaning these efforts. Congratulations are in order to these businesses who “stepped up” and for city efforts of recycling on the beach and the new hybrid buses. Support these certified Virgini
Where do you get this stuff?
I'm interested in where people got so much information from such a tiny article. Maybe they are using LEED?
Virginia Beach Rocks
As an employee of Virginia Beach, I know that we've turned up the AC in the offices to save green!
"Apparently, it's easier being green than you'd think."
Sure it is, when you make up your own fake definition and ask people to pay you for the privelege of supporting your marketing campaign.
Forget environmental sustainability, U.S. Green Building Council recommendations or LEED certification. Just send in your fee, agree not to use styrofoam cups, collect your grease and turn off an extra light or 2 and you too can pretend to be a certified Green Business in VB.
Once again Virginia Beach leads the way turning good sustainable business practices into a misleading marketing ploy to exploit tourists.
Green?
This is SOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY...........
VaBch green? Hmmmmm, GOTTA be referring to how much $$$ the City Council has MADE off the Citizens of VaBch.
VaBch is the most UN-Green City in Hampton Roads. No bike paths to speak of..........and, as someone pointed out, its a RISK of Life and Limb just trying to GET to City Hall !