Scientific evidence and consensus continues to strengthen the idea that climate disruption is an urgent threat to the environmental and economic health of our communities. Many cities — in this country and abroad — already have strong local policies and programs in place to reduce global warming pollution, but more action is needed at the local, state, and federal levels to meet the challenge. On February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement to address climate disruption, became law for the 141 countries.
By the 2005 U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in June, 141 mayors had signed the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement – the same number of nations that ratified the Kyoto Protocol. By May 2007, 500 mayors — including Elmhurst Mayor Thomas Marcucci — had signed on.
Under the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, participating cities committed to take the following three actions:
- Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns;
- Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol — 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and
- Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system.
For 10 years, Elmhurst Cool Cities Coalition has promoted sustainable solutions in the community through education, outreach and community action. Join us in strengthening our community by reducing your negative impact.