Should cities and counties play a role in reducing Global Warming?
Yes, absolutely. Climate Change can be successfully reduced only if all levels of government participate in finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cities and counties can adopt many policies that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. They can also adopt a municipal Climate Action Plan that inventories a city’s own contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and sets a goal for reducing municipal emissions of greenhouse gases. Such plans often include specific measures for improving the energy efficiency of city buildings and streetlights, vehicle fleets, and even commercial and residential buildings throughout the city. They can include provisions for bicycle patrols, solar-heating at municipal swimming pools, and capturing methane to create electricity at landfills. And the good news is that most of these ideas will pay for themselves in reduced energy costs in just a few years.
