The Pittsburgh Story
On October 15, 2009, the United Nations Environment Programme announced the selection of Pittsburgh as the North American Host City for World Environment Day on June 5, 2010. Building on the success of The G-20 Pittsburgh Summit in September, the selection of Pittsburgh reaffirms the region's place as a thought leader in regional innovation and transformation.
The people of Pittsburgh, perhaps better than most, understand that restoration of the natural environment and increasing biodiversity play an important role in economic recovery.
- Once the "smoky city," Pittsburgh is now globally recognized as a green leader that has successfully managed to improve its economy and environmental stewardship.
- Our built environment — featuring substantial riverside redevelopment and green building — has turned its "face" to the rivers.
- Increased outdoor-recreation activity has become a substantial driver of our quality of life, complementing the region's robust arts and culture amenities.
The story of Pittsburgh's transformation can best be told by our three rivers — in our journey to reclaim them and to embrace the biodiversity they bring to our community.
- Endowed with an abundant and reliable watershed, Pittsburgh, located at the headwaters of the Ohio River system, enjoys an immense natural resource in a freshwater-constrained world.
- Thanks to decades of environmental remediation, game fish again swim in the city's three rivers, and the ecosystem has rebounded.
- For the first time since the Industrial Revolution, people visit the riverbanks for leisure and recreation.
As a long-standing innovator in energy and the environment, the Pittsburgh region is uniquely positioned to provide the sustainable solutions for the future.
- Our region is addressing the legacies of acid mine drainage and antiquated water and sewer treatment facilities that pose ongoing challenges to water quality.
- We are innovating sustainable solutions to permit emerging industries to create jobs.
- Pittsburgh has known and addressed these challenges throughout its history.
Water Matters! In representing North America on World Environment Day, the Pittsburgh region will use its common, global dependence on water to advance the common goal of increased sustainability. We will issue a collaborative, regional call to action across all sectors and the public at large to create an effort that will:
- Celebrate the progress we have made to date in restoring the biodiversity of our region as we have transformed our economy, building on the position established during the G-20 Summit;
- Connect other communities in the North American region in a conversation about the importance of water to increased biodiversity, economic development and environmental stewardship; and engage our citizens in actions they can take to be better stewards of our environment; and
- Change our region for the better by developing a water-quality action plan and capacity for follow-through.
