News of the Arroyo
Title: | City backs U.N.'s green accord |
Subtitle: | Pasadena pledges to reduce gas emissions |
Date: | 2006-09-19 |
Summary: | September 19, 2006 - The Pasadena City Council unanimously backed UN Urban Environment Accords and a US Mayor's Letter pledging action to cut greenhouse gases and deal with global climate change. |
Author: | Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Pasadena Star News |
Content: | PASADENA - Matters of the environment proved infertile ground for dissent Monday night as the City Council unanimously committed Pasadena to a greener future. With no opposition, the council adopted the the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords and added Mayor Bill Bogaard to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, addressed the council, apologizing for the lack of leadership from Washington, D.C., on addressing climate change, despite a number of bills percolating through Capitol Hill. \"The problem is none of it has gone anywhere,\" Schiff said. \"At the rate we\'re going, we\'ll all be under water before Congress acts.\" Cities nationwide are signing onto comprehensive environmental agreements, many as a response to federal inaction. Councilman Steve Madison, chief sponsor of the proposals, said it would be ironic for Pasadena not to take a leading role. \"Some of the best minds in the world are identifying the problems and finding solutions right here in our backyard,\" he said. The U.N. accords identify 21 goals under themes such as energy, waste reduction and transportation, and grades cities based on how many they fulfill. The mayors\' agreement seeks to mitigate climate change and commits cities to the principles of the U.N.-sponsored Kyoto Protocol, which the United States has never ratified. The agreement commits Pasadena to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. Councilman Steve Haderlein reiterated his concerns about the city\'s willingness to follow through on the long-term commitments made Monday. To facilitate those goals, which could impact operations across the city, the council also voted to re-establish its Utility Advisory Commission as an Environmental Advisory Commission. todd.ruiz@sgvn.com |
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