With the city's adoption of a green building ordinance for new construction, Dallas has sent a clear message that local leaders are willing to act on the important issues of climate change and energy independence.

The work of the many builders, taxpayers, and community leaders who have spent countless hours advising city staff on how best to achieve these goals for new construction is commendable. But the biggest job ahead will, most certainly, require everyone's willingness to embrace sustainable goals and that will require greater personal involvement and investment.

Soon, the city's green building task force will focus on existing buildings, both residential and commercial. The goal will be to identify sustainable initiatives that must be codified to reduce our energy and water consumption.

According to the North Central Texas Council of Governments, there are approximately 519,000 single and multi-family housing units in our city. Ninety-eight percent of these structures have not been built to green standards. Clearly, there are significant costs associated with retrofitting existing structures. So how do we embrace and integrate sustainability into our daily lives and at what price?

First, we have to recognize that no one group of politicians, community leaders, residents, or business owners is responsible for changing our habits or greening our city. We are all responsible.