By Lina Garcia
September 24, 2007

The United States Conference of Mayors will hold a national Mayors Climate Protection Summit in Seattle, WA, on November 1-2, 2007, led by Conference President Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer and Host Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Former President Bill Clinton and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be the keynote speakers at the two-day event, where at least 100 mayors from coast to coast are expected to attend.

The summit is estimated to be the largest-ever meeting of American mayors devoted solely to discuss climate protection. “Accelerating Local Leadership”, the theme of the two-day conference that is exclusive to mayors, will serve as a venue to share and focus on effective solutions, best practices, and tools to curb global warming at the local and national level.

President Clinton has been an international leader in the effort to fight global warming through his Clinton Climate Initiative, which promotes climate pollution-reducing initiatives in 40 of the largest cities in the world.

“The nation’s mayors are pleased to welcome President Clinton to our climate protection summit,” said Conference President Palmer. “As President, he worked closely with the nation’s mayors to meet the challenges we face everyday in our cities. Since he left office, he has supported efforts by cities who are leading the way to meet the climate protection goals necessary to save our planet. Together, with his leadership and continued action by the nation’s mayors, we will make a difference.”

Mayor Bloomberg has also been a national leader in the effort to fight global warming through his PlanNYC, a sweeping plan to reduce climate pollution in New York City with the support of over 140 environmental, health, civic, business and labor organizations.

“We can’t wait for the Federal Government to take action when it comes to our environment,” said Bloomberg. “Cities are leading the way and making a real difference in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change and I’m looking forward to meeting with my colleagues and sharing ideas and info as we work together to bring about real change.”

“Bloomberg’s bold agenda to help solve the threat of global warming has helped change the debate on this issue,” Nickels said. “He continues to be a leader for the city of New York and the nation. This summit will give us a chance to share real-world solutions and learn from those who are making a difference in protecting our planet.”

Conference President Palmer has named climate protection the top issue of the organization’s 10-Point Plan and also launched a new Mayor’s Climate Protection Center earlier this year. Nickels spearheaded the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005, challenging colleagues from around the country to join him in pledging to significantly cut climate-warming pollution in their cities. The Conference unanimously adopted the agreement and to date, at least 681 mayors, representing more than 74 million Americans have taken the pledge.

TCP, Inc., innovator and manufacturer of today’s most energy efficient lighting products, is the title sponsor for The U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Summit in Seattle.

For more information about the Summit, contact the following staff: Registration for mayors — Kevin McCarty, 202.861.6728 or kmccarty@usmayors.org; Sponsorships — Geri Powell, 202.861.6774 or gpowell@usmayors.org; and Press registration — Lina Garcia, 202.861.6735 or lgarcia@usmayors.org. Also visit: usmayors.org.

All mayors are encouraged to attend!