Twenty-Three Broward Mayors Join Fight on Global Warming

Twenty-Three Broward Mayors Join Fight on Global Warming

by Barry N. Heimlich, Vice President,

Broward County Audubon Society

http://www.browardaudubon.org

February 8, 2007, Hollywood, Florida – The mayors of 23 of Broward County’s 31 municipalities have joined a nationwide initiative to fight global warming in response to Broward County Audubon Society’s Global Warming Initiative. These mayors represent 78% of the county’s 1.8 million population. To date, the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement has been signed by over 393 mayors from all 50 states representing a total population of over 56.4 million (19%). More Broward County mayors have joined this program than any other county in the United States.

Broward Audubon presented 31 South Florida mayors with its Protector of the Climate award at the opening reception of the VisionBROWARD Leadership Forum on the Environment and the Economy on February 8, 2007 at the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale. Mayor Manny Diaz of Miami, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, was keynote speaker.

Two of the major consequences of global warming are rising sea levels and more frequent major hurricanes. These are of special concern in low-lying South Florida so it’s appropriate for South Florida to take the lead. The goal of Broward Audubon’s Climate Protection Initiative is to persuade mayors throughout Florida to undertake energy conservation and climate protection programs under the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Broward’s mayors have set a strong example for the nation by demonstrating their concern about global warming and by undertaking green initiatives in their communities. Audubon chapters across Florida and the nation are urged to reach out to the mayors of their area to do the same.

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Under the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a program of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, participating mayors strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities through such actions as energy conservation programs, green building ordinances, antisprawl land-use policies, urban forest restoration projects, public information campaigns, etc.; urge 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, i.e. 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, setting emission reduction goals and establishing a national emission trading system. Broward County Audubon Society’s Global Warming Initiative Since October 2005, Broward County Audubon Society under the leadership of its vice president Barry Heimlich has undertaken a global warming initiative comprised of educating residents, businesses and government officials through newsletter articles, a global warming website, expert speakers at its meetings, speaking to civic organizations, and organizing special events. The primary thrust of Broward Audubon’s global warming initiative for 2006-2007 has been to persuade a majority of Broward County’s 31 mayors to sign onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. It is also helping the county and municipal governments set up Green Team programs to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Its program was recognized by Audubon of Florida as a model to be followed by other Audubon chapters throughout Florida and the nation. http://www.audubonofflorida.org/PDFs/Naturalist_Summer2006.pdf