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Mayors plant Kyoto Protocol seeds

Cities big and small aren't waiting for the U.S. government to get on board against greenhouse emissions. From coast to coast, they're pitching in with a range of earth-friendly efforts.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 30, 2006

POMPANO BEACH - Mayor John Rayson has seen powerful winds toss his boat into the trees. He's noted the fish he catches are smaller and less plentiful.

He worries about a home perched just above sea level as ocean levels rise.

And so, he will go before his city commission and ask for building code changes that would provide incentives for putting up environmentally friendly structures and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that this city of 100,000 emits. It's one of a number of earth-friendly measures under way here, from recycled water irrigating lawns and parks to a new library powered by renewable energy.

As Rayson puts it: "I want to see the city do its part."

Local politicians such as Rayson abound across this country, attempting to embrace the measures of the Kyoto Protocol - which called for mandatory reductions of greenhouse gases among the signing nations - even as the federal government refuses.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement initiative last year, and Rayson and more than 300 other mayors have followed his lead, promising to strive to meet Kyoto targets in their communities.

"I think it's a common interest that we have that rises above politics," Nickels said. "This really has to do with the survival of our world."

Nickels started the mayors' effort after Kyoto took effect without U.S. participation. At the same time, he said he was experiencing climate change firsthand, as Seattle was tracking decreased snow mass in the mountains, a concern because the melted snow contributes to the city's water and power supplies.

"I decided to challenge my community and at the same time challenge other mayors," he said. "I knew it would resonate in Seattle. What I didn't expect was that in many other parts of the country people are experiencing these things, too."

The response has been staggering. Efforts are being undertaken by mayors of cities in 46 states, representing more than 50-million Americans. Cities big and small - New York to Easton, Conn. - and from liberal to conservative - San Francisco to Hurst, Texas - are launching all sorts of programs aimed at meeting the Kyoto standards.

Many cities have joined with businesses to help meet their goals.

More than 50 businesses are taking part in the ClimateWise program sponsored by Fort Collins, Colo., in which the city offers free assessments of a firm's energy, water, solid waste, transportation and recycling, then offers guidance on becoming more efficient.

Chicago awards grants for rooftop gardens that help improve air quality, conserve energy and reduce storm water runoff.

And Seattle recently began a partnership in which businesses assess and cut greenhouse gas emissions and encourage their workers, customers and suppliers to do the same.

What some cities are doing

Lincoln, Neb.: Is running its public buses on biodiesel, has begun operating wind turbines at its electric utility and has established miles of bike and pedestrian trails.

Lexington, Ky.: Has replaced incandescent traffic signal bulbs with more energy-efficient LED ones, added hybrid cars to its municipal fleet and begun picking up trash just once a week to trim vehicle emissions.

Salt Lake City: Stricter guidelines aimed at making public buildings green have been passed, wind energy is being more widely used and the amount of greenhouse gas emissions has been cut to 106 percent below their 2001 levels.

[Last modified October 29, 2006, 20:24:16]