Addison stresses urban density to minimize its carbon footprint.
Earlier this month, the US Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement hit a milestone with the announcement that the group has reached 1,000 signatures. Addison Mayor Joe Chow is among a group of mayors representing 85 million Americans who have signed the pledge to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in US cities in line with Kyoto Protocol standards.
“I am pleased to announce that I have signed the agreement on behalf of the Town of Addison,” Mayor Chow said. “By becoming part of this movement, we have agreed to strive to:
- Meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol (the international agreement to address climate disruption) through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns
- Urge our state and federal governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol – a 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012
- Urge the US Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system.
“Global warming is an extremely serious threat facing our planet. We need to work together as a community – and as a country – in order to reduce our nation’s greenhouse emissions. The US alone produces 25 percent of all greenhouse gasses. The Addison City Council is working closely with our city’s management team to do our part in protecting our environment. We hope all of our residents will join us in this critical fight.”
The Climate Protection Agreement was initially introduced in February of 2005 in response to federal inaction on the Kyoto Protocol. The Conference has since held summits on alternative vehicles (2006), green buildings (2006) and climate change (2007).
Tags: Addison Mayor Joe Chow, Kyoto Protocol, US Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement
