Site Map

Book Your Hotel Online

Or call 800.620.1958 - Search for flights and car rentals, too. Best hotel rates guaranteed.

The Green Facts

A Look at the Problem

  • Since the mid-1800s global temperatures have increased by about 0.6°C , impacting the entire world, from low-lying islands in the tropics to the vast Polar Regions. During the last century, sea levels have risen by 10–25 cm and the thickness of sea ice in the arctic has decreased by 40%. (Convention on Biological Diversity)
  • The U.S. comprises 5% of the world's population but uses 25% of its natural resources. (Environmental Protection Agency)
  • The average American consumes more than 700 pounds of paper a year—that's the world's highest per capita figure. Forests store 50% of the world's terrestrial carbon, working as "carbon sinks" that hold onto pollution that would otherwise lead to global warming. Half the world's forests have already been cleared or burned, and 80% of what's left has been seriously degraded. 42% of the industrial wood harvest is used to make paper. (The Daily Green)
  • Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every 3 months. (Environmental Defense Fund)

Industry Facts

  • Over a 5-day period, a 2,500-person conference will use 62,500 plates, 90,000 cans or bottles, 75,000 cups and 87,500 napkins. (Convention Industry Council, Meeting Strategies Worldwide)
  • In the U.S., hotels spend $3.7 billion a year on energy, much of it going to waste. The typical property uses 218 gallons of water per day, per occupied room. (Meetings & Conventions, American Hotel & Lodging Association)
  • 67% of meeting and incentive professionals have taken environmental considerations into account when planning a conference or incentive program. (Green Lodging News)

What Minneapolis Is Doing

Minneapolis is considered a national leader in environmental stewardship. Here are a few examples of how the city is making environmentally-friendly choices and investments in its own operation.

  • Solar energy. Minneapolis is in the process of equipping one of our public works facilities with the largest urban solar array in the upper Midwest. Funded with a $2 million grant, the solar array will be completed in 2008. The array will be made up of 3,000 panels, which would generate enough electricity to power nearly 80 homes.
  • Minneapolis already has three solar arrays producing power at Fire Station No. 6, the Currie and Royalston Public Works facilities. The three solar installations produced a total of 11.8 kilowatts of power and in 2006 they saved the city $1,250 dollars on its electricity bill and reduced carbon dioxide output by 21,400 pounds. By comparison, the new array will generate more than 100 times more power than the city’s current largest array (five kilowatts at Fire Station No. 6).
  • The city is turning its vehicle fleet green. So far the city has more than 132 flex-fuel vehicles that can run on fuel that is 85 percent ethanol. The city also has started adding hybrid-electric vehicles to its fleet (currently has 34 total), and uses B-20 biodiesel in most of its heavy equipment.
  • All city-owned buildings must be built to a "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" (LEED) silver level quality—a national benchmark for high performance green buildings. The new Hiawatha Maintenance Facility will be LEED gold level certified.
  • Minneapolis received the U.S. EPA's Clean Air Excellence Award for a range of actions the city took to improve air quality.

Minneapolis is also using its leadership role to encourage residents, business and nonprofit organizations to do their part. Here are a few examples:

  • In 2007 Minneapolis became the first city in the nation to award micro-grants to support grassroots activities that motivate residents and businesses to take action to reduce global warming. This year Minneapolis is offering micro grants (up to $1500) and innovation grants (up to $10,000) to businesses, neighborhoods and nonprofits to implement projects that fight global warming. This innovative program led to Minneapolis being named one of the top greenest cities by Popular Science magazine.
  • Minneapolis formed a partnership to launch the Minnesota Energy Challenge, in which residents across the city have committed to reducing millions of pounds of global warming pollutants annually.
  • Minneapolis banned the purchase and sale of mercury in thermostats and medical devices and for use in schools prior to the 2007 state ban.
  • Minneapolis was recognized for its efforts to address global warming at the 1st-ever Mayors' Climate Protection Awards, which were presented June 23, 2007 during the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Minneapolis and Tree Trust, a local non-profit, were also recognized for efforts to enhance our urban forest through reforestation efforts in north Minneapolis, and through the CityTrees program, which has provided 2,500 trees to residents over the last two years.
  • Minneapolis formed the Mayor's Initiative on Green Manufacturing with leaders from environmental, labor, business and non-profit organizations to examine how to attract more green manufacturers and jobs to Minneapolis and Saint Paul (the first report will be released in '08).