Mayors from LA, Houston and Philadelphia kick off an epic climate action movement.
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The conversation about climate change is increasing in volume thanks not only to the more than 300,000 participants of the climate march – which has been billed as the largest climate mobilization in history – but to the latest action of three big city Mayors who understand the dangers of the warming world and have partnered in a meaningful way to bolster the way cities, who are responsible for 70 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, engage the climate action movement.
Mayors Eric Garcetti, Michael A. Nutter, and Annise Parker, the chief executives of Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Houston, on the first day of Climate Week during the Clinton Global Initiative in NYC announced the formation of the National Climate Action Agenda, which will call for national and international binding emission reductions agreements, establishing stronger inventory standards and reporting, committing to a set of local actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and growing the carbon offset market by removing barriers to municipal offset projects.
“Mayors are uniquely compelled and equipped to lead in the fight to stem climate change, as well as to adapt to it and prepare for the impacts of global warming,” said Mayor Parker, who in a press release touted Houston’s strong leadership in reducing emissions by 32% since 2007 and committed to another aggressive 10 percent reduction by 2016.
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Mayor Nutter, who continues to promote the City’s Greenworks sustainability plan, which emphasizes both climate mitigation and adaption, broke the news at Climate Week that SEPTA was awarded $86.7 million to adapt to region’s transit network to a changing climate.
“Philadelphia is well-positioned to lead on climate, said Mayor Nutter, who claimed to have had climate change and how Philadelphia might begin to address it on his mind when he took office seven years ago.
All three cities – Los Angeles being the largest of the three – have dealt with extreme weather in recent years, including record droughts, flooding and storm surges.
The last winter Philadelphia experienced was “financially painful” according to City Controller Alan Butkovitz, who at Philly’s Global Youth Service Day, co-organized by Techbook Online, revealed that only $4 million was budgeted for outside snow removal, however the city wound up spending $18 million.
“Plowing cost went up 30 percent a year over the last three years, stated Mr. Butkovitz.
Brian Yeoman, Houston Director, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, acknowledged cities as being “uniquely positioned to act on climate change because their actions and initiatives can realize GHG reductions.”
And while I agree with him 100 percent, I must also state that citizens are uniquely positioned to assist cities in adapting to climate change by doing small, yet significant work in their neighborhoods.
Recycling, composting, biking, harvest water and using Bobbles instead of single-serve water bottles are all easy ways citizens of the warming world can contribute to the climate action movement.
You’ve been given your marching orders, now lets make an impact!
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™