Boston Bar Association

James Marcellino - Murphy & King
"Oscar Wilde is reputed to have said "Duty is what one expects from others." But that sentiment may be misguided when it comes to "a greener Boston." Individual responsibility - by each and everyone - makes for a solution day-to-day."

Gary Davis - MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs 
"In light of the recent infestation of the Asian Longhorned Beetle in Worcester and in Boston, which required the removal of many mature trees, I think that it would be fitting for us to promote the planting of shade trees throughout the City of Boston.  Such an initiative could be guided by a comprehensive urban tree planting plan with the City of Boston to identify and prioritize tree planting projects.  The initiative could also provide individuals and businesses with an opportunity to sponsor the planting of trees within the city’s established neighborhoods, thereby leaving a lasting mark for future generations of city dwellers."

Patricia Levesh - Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc.
"Boston building owners should strive to install lush rooftop gardens.   Even better would be a city building requirement that all new construction include a roof garden.   Europe is ahead of the curve in this regard, where roof gardens on city buildings are common.  Not only do they reduce air conditioning and heating costs (and, therefore, greenhouse gas emissions), improve storm water runoff,  filter airborne pollutants and reduce the "urban heat island", they offer a lovely respite from the fast-paced work environment of the occupants.  Imagine taking your lunch hour in a beautiful "sky park" in the city!"

Larry O'Bryan - Gilbert & O'Bryan, LLP
"For a greener Boston, I would love to see the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s plans for an indoor botanical garden resurrected.  Originally, the garden was to be built near South Station, as an anchor of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, but fundraising efforts fell short.  There are many opportunities for green experiences in the Boston area in spring, summer, and fall.  It would be wonderful to have such a place to enjoy lush greenery during our winters."

Michele A. Hunton - Lawson & Weitzen, LLP
"After moving from San Francisco back to Boston, I was shocked at the city of Boston’s lackadaisical attitude towards recycling. Boston should have recycling disposal cans available next to every trash can in the city; not doing so makes it difficult for Bostonians to make a positive environmental choice. Better yet - Boston's businesses should reduce waste from the source by ceasing to use plastic and Styrofoam containers for take-out lunches and drinks. A few simple suggestions for Bostonians:  1) use a coffee mug and stop using Styrofoam cups for your hot coffee and plastic and Styrofoam cups for your iced coffee; and 2) use a reusable water bottle for drinks and stop purchasing small containers of bottled water and juice."

Christophe Courchesne - Conservation Law Foundation
"Eat locally! It's delicious, easier than ever, and a great way to make Boston (and the region) a greener place. Consider growing your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables (even on a small scale), joining a CSA, making regular trips to farmers' markets (like the Boston Public Market), and supporting urban agriculture efforts like community gardens and The Food Project (which even has a CSA of its own). You'll help reduce emissions associated with transporting food, learn where and how your food was grown, and sustain local family farms that are protecting open space and wildlife habitat from development."

Michael Whamond - Proskauer
"We lawyers are guilty of sacrificing groves of trees a day by printing out pages upon pages of legal documents.  Let's make a greener Boston by thinking twice about whether we really need to print out that 120 page document just to review a few changed pages, and when we do print, try double sided two sheets per page."

Michael Malamut - Dept. of Housing & Community Development
"I would like to encourage seamless green multimodal transportation by creating a bicycle-friendly space on rush hour commuter rail trains."