News

Take Local Action to Reduce Global Warming

When the Kyoto Protocol took effect on February 16, 2005 in 141 countries, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels challenged mayors across the country to join his city in taking local action to reduce global warming pollution.

Two years later, the number of city mayors who have accepted the challenge has passed 400 and is growing rapidly. Today, more than 59 million Americans live in cities whose mayors have taken steps to conserve energy and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of their communities.

What Can We Do in East Tennessee?

Urban sprawl is a major driver of inefficient energy use and air pollution from vehicular traffic. The greater Knoxville area has seen rapid growth in the recent past and has been ranked as one of the most sprawling regions in the nation. It also suffers from serious air-pollution problems that impede economic development and will be very difficult to overcome.

On March 30, 2007, the Plain Talk on Quality Growth conference will bring together leaders and decision-makers from throughout East Tennessee at the Knoxville Convention Center to explore ways in which regional cooperation can promote and facilitate more sustainable development.

Panel discussions will help participants understand how development decisions and public policies--or their lack--affect not only our natural environment, public health, and the scenic beauty and cultural heritage of our region, but also the costs of community services, corporate costs of doing business, the citizens' tax bills and everyone's costs of living.

Several public pre-conference events on March 29 will offer opportunities for the public to learn more about quality growth.

For more information on the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, see:

http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/default.htm
<http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/default.htm>.