Cities, towns step up global warming fight

[cal04]

Frustrated with the federal response to global warming, hundreds of cities, suburbs, and rural communities across the United States are taking bold steps to slash their energy consumption and reduce emissions of the pollutants that cause climate change.

This college town recently adopted the nation's first "climate tax" -- an extra fee for electricity use with all proceeds going to fight global warming.

Seattle has imposed a new parking tax, and the mayor hopes to charge tolls on major roads in an effort to discourage driving -- a leading source of greenhouse gas pollution.

(snip)
"It's quite incredible, the number of things cities are beginning to do. It's very heartening," said Tom Kelly, who directs a national environmental group called Kyoto USA.

Governors, too, are joining the effort. At least 20 states, including California, have laws requiring a certain percentage of electrical power to come from solar, wind, and other renewable sources.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/12/25/cities_towns_step_up_global_warming_fight/

[YankeyMCC]

1. Good stuff

It's not enough, unless all the cities and towns start coordinating on a nation and global scale somehow, but it doesn't hurt, does help with local impacts, and as the article says provides examples for larger scale efforts.

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. But we need leadership at the top

Cities can do things individually, and it does help. But we need a major gesture from those in power.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/2273086

[YankeyMCC]

3. I disagree

It needs to be a grassroots effort. If we wait for leadership at the top it'll be to late.

We must lead them.