By Virak Kchao, USCM Intern
August 8, 2005

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels faced a situation where declining snowfalls were having an impact on Seattle’s hydrogen-derived energy power and decided that his city needed to do something about global warming. Nickels challenged the city to meet or beat the standards of the Kyoto Protocol even though the federal government did not ratify the treaty. Nickels, along with 174 other mayors, have banded together to fight global warming and demonstrate the harm that will happen if nothing is done.

At The United States Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in June in Chicago, Nickels announced he would establish a green coalition to motivate cities to create a national effort to execute the Kyoto Protocol since the U.S. is the largest contributor of greenhouse gases. Seattle has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent from using alternative fuel vehicles and having green buildings constructed. Green buildings are structures that minimize environmental impact and increase energy efficiency. Seattle has banned commercial logging in the Cedar River Watershed and wants to restore 2,500 acres of urban forests by 2024. Environmentalists say new trees will contribute to lowering carbon sequestration and provide lots of shade, which will lower average temperatures in the city.

To increase walking and use of bicycles, the city supports walkable, livable mixed use neighborhoods with increased transit service. The Washington State legislature has passed a bill that requires adopting stronger clean car emission standards to reduce greenhouse gases even further by 2009. Nickels wants Seattle to achieve a 60 percent recycling rate by 2008 which lowers tons of greenhouse gases by cutting out the need for more raw materials and energy.

Nickels, at a press conference stated, “The reality of global climate is urgent. The stakes are high – locally and globally – and we need to act. As a city government, we’ve already cut our greenhouse gases emissions by more than 60 percent compared to 1990 levels. We need to work together as a community to set responsible limits on global warming pollution.” Nickels has endorsed simple ideas that can help reduce energy use and reduce global warming. He has told Seattle citizens to buy Energy Star appliances, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, plant a tree, or wash clothes in cold water instead of hot. The Green Ribbon commission was created by Nickels to allow prominent leaders of Seattle in business, environment, health and education to meet or beat Kyoto’s standards. The plan will target all community sources of greenhouse gases and will find economic opportunities for Seattle to have a cleaner, greener future. Nickels commitment to group efforts such as The United States Conference of Mayors and ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection Campaign have made him a leading figure in the U.S. on combating climate change.