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Mayor, with City Council Support, Signs Climate Protection Agreement
4/19/2007

Mayor Matt Ryan officially signed the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement today, adding Binghamton to the list of more than 450 municipalities that have pledged to take proactive measures in dealing with climate change in the absence of any federal leadership.

“It is not unusual for local leadership to rise up and force the officials in Washington to move on matters of great significance,” said Mayor Matt Ryan. “Labor rights, women’s rights, and civil rights emerged out of local movements, and I am proud to stand with hundreds of municipal leaders that are pledging to make urgent, needed change in the face of climate disruption and ecological breakdown.” The Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, which has since been endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s, was initiated by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels in 2005 to deal with the urgent threat of climate disruption to social, economic and ecological health. When the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address climate disruption, became law in February 2005, the United States was not included in the 141 countries that had ratified it. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched a local alternative to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol, and hoped that it would attract the attention of at least 141 municipal leaders. As of April 12, 2007, 453 Mayors have signed and endorsed the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. “This is about creating livable neighborhoods of choice, reducing energy costs, cleaning our natural waterways and skies, and improving regional security,” said Mayor Ryan. “We will identify and pursue opportunities to reduce our contributions to climate disruption, and in the process, strengthen our reputation as a national leader in green practices and an upstate leader in sustainable development and innovation.” Under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take the following three actions:  Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns;  Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and  Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system The administration has already taken a range of steps toward the goals outlined in the agreement:  With City Council’s support, the administration created a Tree Fund and re-instated a Shade Tree Commission in order to meet the Mayor’s promise of boosting tree plantings by 10% annually over the next five years  In partnership with NYSEG, the city is exploring the possibility of capturing methane from the sewage treatment process for an on-site fuel; currently, the methane gas is flared to the atmosphere  The administration has pledged to add green vehicles to the city’s fleet when possible  With a range of co-sponsors, the administration organized a seminar on sustainability as part of long-term plans for developing a Sustainability Task Force and Action Plan of community stakeholders City Council passed in March a resolution supporting the Mayor’s endorsement of the Climate Protection Agreement. “A community needs to move forward together with purpose and vision, and responsible progress can yield social, economic and ecological benefits,” said Mayor Ryan. “We will continue to lead by example, and engage and empower residents around issues that will improve the strength, health, and livability of our neighborhoods.” The Mayor signed the agreement one week before the area’s longest running Earth Day celebration, Earth Fest. The 18th Annual Earth Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 28th between 10:00am and 5:00pm at the Broome County Grippen Ice Rink. The event will showcase the area’s rich, natural environment and raise awareness of the many local and regional environmental organizations and businesses. There will be live music, jugglers, and an arts and crafts section.  Solar and alternate fuel vehicles will be showcased along with natural building materials and techniques, environmental education, and hundreds of free seedlings will be given away. Earth Fest is also coordinating with the Binghamton Association for the Education of Young Children (BAEYC), who will be holding their Children’s Fair on campus at the same time. This year’s sponsors of Earth Fest include Ben Weitsman & Son, Broome-Tioga BOCES/Tech Prep, Waterman Conservation Education Center, the BCC Ecology Club and Roberson Museum and Science Center.

Additional Information:
www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/

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