Resolutions for the region
With a new year comes resolutions. Here are a few we at PittsburghTODAY feel are important for southwestern Pennsylvania as a region and people in 2015. They’re tough. But if they were easy, we would’ve achieved them by now.
Diversify the workplace
Minorities make up only 11 percent of the southwestern Pennsylvania workforce, U.S. Census Bureau data tell us. That, by far, gives us the least diverse workforce of the 15 Pittsburgh Today benchmark regions. It diminishes the quality of life of our neighbors and threatens our future prosperity. Yes, it’s complicated. But other places have figured out how to do much better.
Shape up
This popular resolution is either not so popular or easily forgotten in southwestern Pennsylvania, where nearly 1 in 4 residents reported NOT DOING ANY KIND of physical activity in the past month. Only Philadelphia, Indianapolis and Detroit are less active. Is it any surprise that we find ourselves with some of the highest rates of obesity, overweight residents and diabetes?
Quit smoking
Here’s another popular resolution that hasn’t quite caught on in southwestern Pennsylvania, where 22.4 percent of residents admit they’re current smokers. That’s higher than the national average. And it’s a recipe for heart and lung disease and premature death. Do yourself and everyone who cares about you a favor and quit being the tobacco industry’s best friend.
Take a bite out of blight
Vacant and blighted properties are unsightly and costly to taxpayers and homeowners. This year, the City of Pittsburgh and a group of 40 Allegheny County municipalities each hope to open land banks to combat blight on a broad scale. But the complex legal instruments demand a high level of cooperation. The question is: Can they find the will to put politics aside and make them work?
Clear the air
Surveys find that 2 in 3 southwestern Pennsylvanians describe our air quality as a “minor problem” or “not a problem at all.” It’s better, yes. But we remain on the wrong end of rankings of places most polluted. Driving a bit less, advocating for a cleaner environment – such small steps taken by many will help make sure we’re defined by our many attributes, not the pollution in our air.
Enjoy sunny days
While in the teeth of last year’s nasty winter, Pittsburgh Today reported that the region enjoyed only two clear days during the six-month period that ended in March. We can’t do anything about the weather, but we can enjoy every rare winter day of sunshine and hope the new year brings us more.
Happy New Year
From the staff at Pittsburgh Today