Evanston residents may talk eco-friendly, but piecemeal environmental efforts have yet to succeed in making a significantly greener city.

In considering the Green Building Ordinance, City Council’s Human Service Committee voted Monday to hold on an opportunity to make some concrete environmental progress (“Cost concerns may clash with green ordinance draft,” Oct. 21). The ordinance would require all new construction projects of over 10,000 square feet to meet national LEED standards, which include provisions to reduce waste, conserve of water and energy and reduce gas emissions. The committee chose to wait and re-evaluate the ordinance in December, citing concerns about passing on higher costs to developers.

But, in a city with a long pro-development track record, developers should give something back to the community. A developer standing to profit on the larger projects falling under the standards should pay for greener buildings.

Residents and administrators have already shown their interest in making Evanston greener. This month alone, Evanston organizations have held an eco-inspired art show and a sustainability festival. The city government has even teamed up with Keep Evanston Beautiful to compete in a statewide recycling competition. Yet among the many groups, there has been no cohesive green movement and widespread environmental reform have not been realized.

It’s time for residents to unite in placing pressure on the City Coucil to enact LEED building standards.