Cities taking lead in climate-change fight

Portland Press Herald
Kathy Robertson
July 3, 2006

Nothing threatens the future of our planet, the security of our nation or the health of our air, water and wildlands more than the way we produce and consume energy. And as pollution from fossil fuels causes global temperatures to rise, our scientists agree that we face a serious, long-term threat to our health, safety, and environment.

But global warming is no longer merely just a theory. Time Magazine dedicated a cover story to the issue, and thousands of people across America are flocking to movie theaters to see "An Inconvenient Truth," a new film by Al Gore showing the very real risks that severe climate change poses to our communities.

Unfortunately, we know those risks all to well here in Maine, where global warming means a reduced snow pack (our summer water supply), more winter flooding, rising sea levels, increased risk of forest fires and a higher risk of diseases such as Lyme disease and asthma.

A CERTAIN MESSAGE

Audiences can take away many messages from Gore's film, but one is certain: Continuing down the same path is no longer an option, and America has hard, urgent choices to make about how to move past fossil fuels.

As daunting as that might seem, there are already reasons for hope in ordinary cities and towns across America.

Beginning with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, more than 200 mayors representing 42 million Americans recently signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. They pledged to reduce global warming pollution, proving that individual cities can make a huge difference.

Portland's own Mayor Jim Cohen is part of this visionary group, working with leaders around the country who are taking steps as varied as they are inspiring.

The city of Charlotte, N.C., is converting its municipal fleet to hybrid cars. Salt Lake City is upgrading its traffic lights with more efficient bulbs, saving 500 tons of heat-trapping gas and over $50,000 a year on the city's energy bill. In Twin Falls, Idaho, local officials are making the city's 11 schools more energy-efficient and saving $3.5 million in the process.

Cities are on the cutting edge when it comes to investing in renewable energy as well.

The local utility in Waverly, Iowa, is paying farmers to install wind turbines on their land. Fort Collins, Colo., has committed to meeting 15 percent of its energy needs with renewables by 2017, mainly with wind power.

And the San Diego Unified School District is replacing the roofs on many of its buildings with solar roofing material.

The district anticipates $6.9 million in total cost-savings over 20 years (find more examples at sierraclub.org/coolcities).

Right here in Portland, we are moving towards a cleaner energy future, with solutions that are not only better for our environment - they save taxpayer dollars at the same time.

Actions such as promoting "Commute Another Way Day," purchasing new, clean-burning compressed natural gas buses and building the new East End Community School, which is a registered LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) Project are but a few examples of the many steps Portland is taking towards its global commitment to combat global warming.

What's more, we've found that working towards a cleaner energy future has helped to forge vibrant partnerships in Portland.

Local businesses, builders, faith groups, educational institutions, labor unions and groups of concerned citizens are all working together. They know these solutions create good jobs, lower energy bills and create a safer world for our citizens all at the same time.

NOT ONE BUT MANY

No one city is going to be able to stop global warming on its own, but together, all of these cities, along with businesses, universities, and other institutions that are investing in smart energy solutions, will create a groundswell that federal leaders cannot ignore for long.

So once the lights go back on in the movie theaters and the popcorn has been cleaned up, we must recognize that the truth is only "inconvenient" if we refuse to rise to the occasion.

Let's celebrate the mayors of "Cool Cities," who are literally re-energizing our nation, proving that we can solve global warming one community at a time.