By Kevin McCarty
July 16, 2007

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and Carmel (IN) Mayor James Brainard convened the first official meeting of the Conference’s Climate Protection Task Force, calling attention to the many activities underway within the Conference and in cities throughout the U.S. to address climate protection issues.

Speaking to nearly 40 mayors who took part in the June 22 session, Nickels acknowledged the progress that has been made in enlisting the nation’s mayors as signatories to the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. “Our goal by this meeting was 500 mayors and today we have more than 540.” He noted that the people represented by these cities totaled more than 67 million, about the size of Iran. He also explained that a primary purpose of this effort was to “organize the voice of the mayors.”

Brainard acknowledged the Conference’s Mayors Climate Protection Center and its new Survey on Mayoral Leadership on Climate Protection, briefly previewing the survey’s findings, which would be fully reviewed during the June 23 Climate Awards luncheon session.

San Diego, Providence Mayors Review Their Climate Protection Initiatives

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders described his city’s work on climate issues. “The City of San Diego has been very active for many years doing everything we can to reduce our energy consumption, reduce our impact on the global climate and to move closer and closer to a realistic and sustainable model for our environmental future. Everything we have done — and will continue to do — provides our City with multiple benefits,” he said.

In discussing his city’s work on promoting energy efficient building, he explained that the building housing the Environmental Services Departments has reduced its energy consumption by 28 percent below California’s already rigorous Energy Code, making this the first “Energy Star Label” for buildings. Sanders also noted how solar power systems at this and other buildings and facilities was reducing carbon emissions, describing an innovative partnership deploying a new photovoltaic system at the city’s water treatment plant. He cited methane capture at the city’s landfill and wastewater treatment plants as a key part of the city’s success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in city operations by 10 percent 1990 levels.

In closing his remarks, Sanders said, “We should all compliment ourselves for being at the vanguard of social change and for influencing the national debate on this critical issue. I think the substantive steps we’ve taken in San Diego, along with what each of you are doing in your own cities, have shown how practical and sustainable programs can be put in place at the local level.”

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline in his remarks reminded mayors that “there are relatively painless ways to start the conversation and mitigate our energy and environmental impacts.” He added, “Our goal is to make Providence a “green” city through energy efficiency, water conservation, emissions reduction, recycling, composting, community gardens, green space, and environmentally sustainable design.”

Cicilline then explained how the city is taking steps in each of its departments and their activities to achieve these outcomes, from its Planning & Development, Community Development, and Public Works Departments to the city’s policies, management of public properties and parks, and other actions throughout the city.

He also talked about the importance of working with his state legislature and federal lawmakers to engage them as partners in the city’s efforts, explaining how he joined with his local Congressman to advocate for Congressional action on the Conference’s “Energy & Environment Block Grant Act” initiative.

Following the presentations, Task Force Members contributed their own best practices and also offered perspectives on some of the challenges before mayors in reducing greenhouse gases.

Among the many suggestions, Brainard urged mayors to place more emphasis on development, land use decisions and community design, noting that “places are still being built where people can’t walk.” Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives called upon mayors “to bust the paradigm” and get schools and kids more engaged in climate protection awareness and activities. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak expressed his frustration with the private sector and the cost premiums cities and others are paying as they strive “to go green” in their operations and programs. Participants in the session also suggested a number of specific ideas for how the Conference and the Task Force could work with mayors to further their climate protection efforts.

Before adjourning, Nickels announced that the Conference of Mayors will be sponsoring a Mayors Climate Protection Summit in Seattle on November 1-2. He urged mayors to mark their calendars and look for registration information in a future mailing.