Roanoke Group
of the Virginia Chapter

WHAT IS THE "COOL CITIES CAMPAIGN?"

Cool Cities is a grass roots response to federal inaction on global climate change. The program reduces energy use, saves taxpayer dollars, improves public health and protects the environment. The campaign asks local government leaders to:

• Sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to curb global warming pollution in their city by 7% below 1990 levels by 2012
• Develop a plan for smart energy solutions such as
  o "Green" vehicle fleets, including hybrids and other cleaner cars
  o Modernizing city buildings with money-saving, energy-efficient technology
  o Clean, safe, renewable energy
• Educate the public about the need for and benefits of energy efficiency and conservation

As of December 5, 2006 a total of 331 local governments mayors representing a had ratified the agreement - including the mayors of Charlottesville, Alexandria, Virginia Beach, Blacksburg, Richmond, and Williamsburg. In two nights of tabling at "An Inconvenient Truth," we gathered 90 signatures asking Mayor Harris to designate Roanoke as a Cool City. Recently, Roanoke joined ICLEI - Local Governments For Sustainability, an important interim step toward a formal plan for emissions reduction.

The public wants these changes, and our local cities and counties have already undertaken a number of efforts to reduce energy use. For example, the Roanoke County schools have had an energy program since August 1998. In that time they have avoided spending over $4.5 million through energy savings. More improvements and savings are in the planning stages.

If you would like to help with this project, please contact Diana Christopulos, Cool Cities Campaign Coordinator, or click the "Get Involved Link" to the right.