It is one thing to promote sustainable living, and quite another to actually practise it. That’s why David Chernushenko does his best to lead by example. Here are some of the initiatives – both professional and personal – of which he is most proud.
David with Clean Air Champion Hayley Wickenheiser
Toronto 2008 and
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Bids
David’s company, Green & Gold Inc., worked with the bid committees in Toronto and Vancouver-Whistler. It allowed him to support two tremendous teams of Canada’s best and brightest in pursuit of the Olympic Games. Both groups whole-heartedly adopted his belief in the potential to promote sustainable urban development through hosting the Olympics and other major events. While the Toronto 2008 bid finished a strong second, many Green & Gold ideas are nonetheless being implemented. The victorious Vancouver 2010 organizing committee will be watched closely for the next four years to monitor the bid’s strong sustainability commitments.
Conservation Co-op
David was a founding member of the Board of Directors for Conservation Co-op Housing, an 84-unit mixed (market rent and subsidized) housing development in central Ottawa. This was the first such multi-unit residence to pursue environmental and social goals in its design and operation. (www.conscoop.ottawa.on.ca)
In 2001, David founded Clean Air Champions, a non-profit group that works to improve air quality and promote fitness. Respected athletes act as spokespeople to motivate and educate Canadians to adopt practices and lifestyles that enhance both environmental and personal health. This marries David’s great passions for a healthy environment, physical activity and motivating children to adopt healthy lifestyles. (www.cleanairchampions.ca)
Sustainable Home Renovations
David renovated and modified his own home to make it highly energy efficient and to improve indoor air quality, maximize natural light, reduce water consumption, and eliminate pesticides in the garden. He even added solar panels to produce enough energy to run a home office and two rooms. David created an Energy Tips Video Tour of his home to show how he has cut his electricity, water and heating bills nearly in half.
Food Security: Organic and Local Food
David works with local and regional community supported agriculture groups, organic farmers, and retailers to promote local and organic food of all kinds. David believes in supporting family farms, soil health and water quality, and in eating and serving safe, nutritious and flavourful food grown in a sustainable way.
Sydney 2000 "Green Games"
David carried out a detailed evaluation of the environmental performance of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Co-ordination Authority from 1996 to 2000. This major project brought David into close contact with Australia’s and the world’s most dynamic and innovative people in government, the private sector and environmental groups. David had the pleasure of staying on in Australia with his family and co-organizing a conference on the sustainable development lessons that were learned by the various players. He went on to edit and produce a CD publication on this topic.
