From Jeff Peterson
The scientific community has reached consensus that the global climate is warming and that this climate change will have significant consequences for the natural environment and for people throughout the world. A principal cause of global warming is the increased release of greenhouse gases from combustion of fossil fuels. Global temperatures will increase in coming years simply because of past releases of greenhouse gases. Many scientists believe, however, that within a dozen years, a "tipping point" may be reached where much more dramatic, perhaps even catastrophic, climate change will become irreversible.
Reductions in greenhouse gas releases necessary to avoid the most damaging climate changes can be accomplished using existing technology and modest costs. Many industrialized countries have joined international agreements commiting them to signficant reductions in greenhouse gas releases and adopted plans to acheive these goals. Although the United States continues to make important conributions to climate change research, it has not joined these agreements or adopted comprehensive plans to significantly reduce greenhouse gas releases.
Individual communities throughout the United States, however, have adopted common policies and programs to address global warming. Some communities have adopted the "US Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, developed by the Mayor of Seattle, Washington and the US Conference of Mayors (see http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/)
Key provisions of the Mayors Agreement include:
-- support for the goal of a
reducing global warming gases by 7% from 1990 levels by 2012;
-- support
for Congressional action on legislation to limit greenhouse gas releases;
and
-- reduction in global warming gas releases through a range of local
actions.
A copy of the Mayor's Agreement is provided below.
Cities that adopt the Mayors Initiative can work with supporting
organizations, such as the International Council on Local Environmental
Initiatives to take followup actions including doing a survey of energy use
by the City, developing a plan for reducing releases of greenhouse gases,
and monitoring implementation of the plan. Key elements of response plans
include initiatives related to green vehicles, energy efficiency, and
renewable energy.
The Falls Church Deliberation process could include
discussion of issues such as what role the City of Falls Church can play in
addressing climate change, including whether the City should adopt the
Mayors Agreement and whether the City should participate in the "Cool
Cities" program. The
Deliberation could have a goal of making a
recommendation to Mayor Gardner and the Falls Church City Council concern
whether to adopt the Mayors Agreement or some other action, or to not take
action at this time.
ATTACHMENT
The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and fuel-efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation, waste to energy, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
We urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation that includes 1) clear timetables and emissions limits and 2) a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities such as:
Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets and create an action plan.
Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities;
Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit;
Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by, for example, investing in "green tags", advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, recovering landfill methane for energy production, and supporting the use of waste to energy technology;
Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money;
Purchase only Energy Star equipment and appliances for City use;
Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program or a similar system;
Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel;
Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production;
Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community;
Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and
Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting and urges mayors from around the nation to join this effort.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The U.S. Conference of Mayors will work in conjunction with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability and other appropriate organizations to track progress and implementation of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as amended by the 73rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting.
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