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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly
19, 2006 Berkeley
Voters to Decide on Aggressive Steps to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions
City Council
places measure on the November ballot that would set a strict emission
reduction target, direct the mayor to develop a plan to meet the target. Berkeley, CA – On Tuesday night,
the Berkeley City Council placed a measure on the November
ballot that asks voters to set an 80% greenhouse gas reduction
target and direct the mayor to work with the community develop a plan to
meet that goal. “The science is absolutely
crystal clear on this issue. We
have about a decade to begin making major reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions or we face the prospect of a climate catastrophe,” said Mayor
Tom Bates. “It is time for
the politicians and the people to catch up to the scientists and make the
necessary changes in policies and behaviors. None of this will be easy, but I firmly believe Berkeley can
lead the way.” Cities and states throughout the
country have been stepping up in the absence of national leadership on the
issue of climate change. Over
250 cities have signed on the Climate Protection Agreement created by
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and 190 U.S. cities have joined ICLEI’s
Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.
To our knowledge, Berkeley is the first city in the country to
place a global warming issue before the voters. Berkeley has been a national
leader on the issue of global warming.
Last year, it documented a 14% reduction in municipal greenhouse
gas emissions and was named the third most sustainable city in the
country. In addition, Mayor
Bates spearheaded the recent creation of a countywide greenhouse gas
emissions initiative. That
effort got underway last month. The question on the ballot is phrased as follows: Should the People of the City of Berkeley have a goal of an 80%
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and advise the Mayor to work
with the community to develop a plan for Council adoption in 2007, which
sets a ten year emissions reduction target and identified action by the
City and residents to achieve both the ten year target and the ultimate
goal of an 80% emissions reduction.” A full draft of the measure is available on line on the City's website. # # # |
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