What’s your green umbrella?

Students at Hughes High School have signed up, as have dozens of Cincinnati Zoo and Cincinnati Nature Center employees. Even Mayor Mark Mallory is in on the action. Together, they have reduced nearly 900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere in our region. Not bad for a Green Umbrella opened just more than a month ago. What’s your Green Umbrella? launched in October. It’s a site dedicated to consolidating all of the sustainability efforts throughout the region under one, well, umbrella. It’s a space where information about green building, green living, green learning and green transportation, as well as other important initiatives, take root. In addition to providing a constantly updated news feed with information about sustainability-related events and initiatives around the region, What’s your Green Umbrella allows users to track their own path toward earth-friendly living. Register as a user and you can track how your recycling and choice of transportation impacts the environment. Register as part of your employer’s team and see how you stack up against your eco-friendly competition. For example, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden remains in a tight competition with the Cincinnati Nature Center for most tons of CO2 reduced. The new site also offers tips on green living, local resources and the chance to win prizes that will keep you in harmony with nature. Do Good: • Get under the umbrella. Register to see how you rate and help your employer or group gain traction as a regional force for the environment. • Make a donation. Support green initiatives throughout the region. • Check on the progress. See how your business, neighborhood or faith community rates in this competition – remember, under the green umbrella, everybody wins! By Elissa Yancey