Thank you to Mayor of Seattle, Greg Nickels. We hope he found satisfaction this past week at the Climate Summit for Mayors in Copenhagen. Largely insulated from the realpolitik and deal-making of their national-level counterparts, he and 49 other mayors from around the globe had the chance to tout programs and accomplishments, exchange ideas, and collaborate as one might hope at a climate summit.
For a taste, check out Evergreen Film's report:
On Nickels
We think it’s worth noting just a few of the mayor’s achievements before he leaves us:
- Added light rail to Seattle’s public transportation portfolio
- Launched the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, now joined by over 1,000 mayors!
- Committed Seattle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7% below 1990 levels by 2012 (we’re already there) and by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
- Created City of Seattle's Office of Sustainability and the Environment
- Created the Green Building Task Force with the aim of increasing new and existing buildings’ efficiency by 20%
On Disappointment in Copenhagen
Perhaps there’s a silver lining in the propagation and legitimizing of successes at the city-scale. If cities move the status quo, nations will follow. Thank you Mayor Nickels!
No comments:
Post a Comment