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Mayors join in on "sustainability" train


Posted 9/11/05

***************
ASK DR. S!
        "Are there other states in the US besides Minnesota that
have a state-level program promoting sustainability?"
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STATEWIDE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
        Actually, there are eleven states that have ongoing
state-wide sustainability efforts, which are coordinated in a
variety of different ways - many by state government, some by
non-profit organizations and public-private collaborations, one by
businesses. Each state program offers some on-line resources
that would be of use to Minnesotans, organized and searchable
in ways different than NextStep (which may be a useful
complement to NextStep).
        Below is a list of all the programs of which we are aware.
If you know of other programs, please let us know! While each
program promotes sustainability, each has a unique focus on
different aspects of and approaches to sustainable development.
For example, the heart of New Jersey's program is sustainability
indicators.

WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Partners for SustainAbility
        http://www.wiscpsa.org

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Sustainable State Institute
        http://www.njssi.net

MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi 2020 Network
        http://www.mississippi2020.org

RHODE ISLAND: Rhode Island Sustainability Coalition
        http://www.sustainableri.org

OREGON: Sustainable Oregon
        http://SustainableOregon.net

FLORIDA: Council for Sustainable Florida
        http://www.sustainableflorida.org

COLORADO: Colorado Alliance for a Sustainable Future
        http://www.sustainablecolorado.com

WASHINGTON: Toward a Sustainable Washington
        http://www.ecy.wa.gov/sustainability

MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts State Sustainability Program
        http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/default.htm

OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma Sustainability Network
        http://www.oksustainability.org/index.php

MINNESOTA: Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network
        http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us
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On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol took effect in the 141 countries that ratified it. That day Mayor Nickels challenged mayors across the country to join Seattle in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution.

On March 30, 2005, 10 mayors representing more than 3 million Americans, joined together to invite cities from across the country to take additional actions to significantly reduce global warming pollution. Read the letter they sent to more than 400 other US mayors
 
 
 
 
On June 13, 2005, the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement was passed unanimously by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Watch the video feature Watch the Video Mayors inside and outside of the Conference continue to formalize their commitment by signing on to the agreement.

As of September 1, 2005 178 mayors representing nearly 40 million Americans, have accepted the challenge. You can learn more about the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement or read worldwide headlines about this locally started initiative.
Mayor Nickels continues to work on these and other environmental issues in Seattle. His Environmental Action Agenda includes City efforts to improve healthy habitats and clean water, to increase sustainable forests, and to reduce paper use and increase recycling.

WHAT IS THE U.S. MAYORS’ CLIMATE PROTECTION AGREEMENT?

Climate disruption is an urgent threat to the environmental and economic health of our communities. Many cities, in this country and abroad, already have strong local policies and programs in place to reduce global warming pollution, but more action is needed at the local, state, and federal levels to meet the challenge. On February 16, 2005 the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries that have ratified it to date. On that day, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched this initiative to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through leadership and action by at least 141 American cities. Mayor Nickels, along with a growing number of other US mayors, is leading the development of a US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement ; our goal is for at least 141 cities to sign onto the Agreement by the time of the U.S. Conference of Mayors June meeting in Chicago .

Under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take following three actions:
  • Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns;
  • Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and
  • Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act, which would establish a national emission trading system

In addition to building a coalition of at least 141 cities to sign onto the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, Mayor Nickels, along with the other participating mayors, is leading an effort to win endorsement of the Agreement by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, through passage of a [resolution] at their upcoming meeting in June.

U.S. Mayor’s Conference website

Mayor Nickels’ Web conference

Media Coverage

United Nations Background on Climate Change

 WHO IS INVOLVED?

On March 30, Mayor Nickels, along with nine other US mayors, sent a letter and the draft to over 400 mayors across the country, seeking their participation.


HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

 

The 2005 Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of the nation's 1183 U.S. cities with populations of 30,000 or more. The Conference might be over and the resolution passed, but there is still work to be done. If your city is intereted in signing on to the US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement , we urge you to complete the participation form and return it via email to kim.drury@seattle.gov or dena.gazin@seattle.gov. You can also fax your form to us at: (206) 684-3013.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

 

Media Coverage | On Climate Change | On the Kyoto Accord | International Perspectives |
Seattle's Climate Stewardship

 

Media Coverage
Note: some articles require a subscription to access

Links - Climate Change
Climate Solutions- Championing a regional approach to global warming solutions EPA Climate Protection Partnerships Global Climate Coalition ICLEI - Cities for Climate Protection ICLEI - Speech by Denis Hayes, February 7, 2002 (PDF 108KB) Global and Regional Climate Change: an Update on the Science - a presentation by Philip Mote at the ICLEI Cities for Climate Change Conference in Seattle, February 2002 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change New Scientist Special Report on Climate Change The Pew Center on Global Climate Change West Coast Governors' Global Warming Initiative US Mayors' Statement on Global Warming Feeling the Heat - Required reading for business success (PDF 172KB)

Links - Kyoto Accord
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Links - International Data and Perspectives
climate.org - a project of the Climate Institute The Climate Group

Links - City of Seattle
City of Seattle - Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory and report (PDF) Resolution 30316 (Kyoto) Seattle City Light - Climate Wise Partners Seattle City Light - Global Warming

 



For more information, or to sign on to the Mayor’s Climate Agreement, please contact Kim Drury or Dena Gazin with the Office of Sustainability
 


 

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