[See below for ways you can help!]
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7% 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, methan recovery for energy generation, wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act sponsored by Senators McCain and Lieberman and Representatives Gilchrist and Olver, which would create a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries; and
C. 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, or example, investing in “green tags”, advocating for the development of renewable energy resources, and recovering landfill methane for energy production;
- 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; purchase supplies and equipment from local sources when possible; purchase locally-grown organic food products when possible;
- 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; purchase products with maximum recycled content when possible;
- 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.
[Bold type indicates Alliance additions]
More info at the U.S. Mayors’ website
What you can do
1. Get other boroughs and townships to sign on.
2. Once the Climate Protection Agreement is signed, follow up to make sure cities actually take the necessary steps to implement the Agreement.
If you can help — either by encouraging other municipalities to sign on or by making sure the Agreements are actually implemented — emailPeter Crownfield at the Alliance.