Salem Endorses US Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement,
Becomes First Official "Cool City" in Roanoke Valley
Diana Christopulos presents
Certificate of Commendation
to Salem Mayor Howard
Packett
(More pictures below; all photos by Mark McClain) It all
started in November, 2006, when Mark McClain and Diana Christopulos were
invited to make a presentation about energy conservation and the "Cool
Cities" program to the Salem Book Club in the home of Sierra Club member
Peggy Lindsey. One of the members of the book club was particularly
interested, as she had not been fully aware of the negatives associated
with coal fired power plants, and the benefits of energy efficiency as a
tool to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that cause
global warming. She was Jane Johnson, newly elected member of the
City Council of Salem. Thus began a 15-month process of meetings,
presentations, lobbying, letter-writing, all to persuade the city council
to become the first official Cool City in Roanoke Valley.
On
February 11, 2008, a major landmark was reached when the council
unanimously approved a resolution to endorse the US Mayors Climate
Protection Agreement (USMPCA). The resolution was introduced by
Councilman Chris Clemens and seconded by Councilwoman Johnson. Under
this agreement, cities pledge to measure their greenhouse gas emissions
and formulate a plan for reduction. Local environmentalists
applauded Salem for this action, and they will continue to encourage the
city as they measure and reduce their carbon footprint. The Sierra
Club established the "Cool Cities" campaign to recognize municipalities
and other local government who have endorsed the USMCPA.
The USMPCA
encourages cities to set greenhouse gas emission targets based on the
Kyoto Protocol, but cities are free to set their own targets based on
their particular situations. The Sierra Club encourages cities to
adopt the "2% solution", a 2% reduction annual reduction in emissions from
a chose base year, extended 40 years into the future. Climate
scientists believe that reductions of this magnitude are needed to
stabilize the earth's climate and avoid the most serious threats of global
warming.
Diana Christopulos, Roanoke Group Cool Cities Coordinator,
presented the council with a commendation from Roanoke Valley Cool Cities
Coalition, of which Sierra Club is the founding member. Dr.
Christopulos also serves as Board Chair of RVCCC, which now has 85
affiliate members representing over 10,000 citizens in the region, and is
incorporated separately. For more information:
Roanoke Valley Cool Cities
Coalition
Sierra Club
Cool Cities Campaign
US Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement
|
Diana Christopulos, Councilwoman Jane Johnson,
Councilman Randy
Foley
|
Mayor Packett, Councilman John Givens,
inspect the
commendation from Diana Christopulos
|
Diana
Christopulos (standing) talks to Roanoke
Times Reporter Marquita
Brown, following the council meeting
|
|
Quite a few
supporters were on hand to witness
the approval of the Cool
Cities resolution.
Pictured are Kelli Ogilvie (Roanoke
College),
Carrie Cox (Big Lick Green Drinks), and Jim Colleran
(Sierra Club)
| |
|
