ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

REDUCING GLOBAL WARMING

WHEREAS, the science strongly supports the belief that global warming poses a real, serious threat to public health, the environment, and the quality of life in our cities and communities; and

WHEREAS, the impacts and costs of global warming are felt locally – between 1988 and 1997, heat waves, storms, floods, and other extreme weather events in the United States caused an estimated $140 billion in property damage; and

WHEREAS, mayors are uniquely positioned to provide leadership and take action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, the pollution that causes global warming; and

WHEREAS, by using currently available technologies and practices, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced in a cost-effective manner that enhances economic development; and

WHEREAS, many local communities are already implementing energy efficiency, transportation efficiency, waste reducing and recycling, and renewable energy programs that save money, create jobs and strengthen the local economy, improve air quality, and enhance quality of life.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls upon the Congress and the Administration to work together to make the issue of global warming a priority and to develop and implement policies and programs that work with local communities to reduce domestic sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the pollution that causes global warming.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Conference urges the Congress to fully fund the Clean Air Partnership Fund which will provide grants to states and localities to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and ground level air pollutants and to support tax incentives and targeted investments that will accelerate the development and deployment of clean energy technologies.