The Sunnyvale Sun

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City commits to do its part in fighting global warming

By Cody Kraatz

In an effort to stay at the cutting edge of addressing climate change, the Sunnyvale City Council officially endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a document that commits the city to local efforts to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets.

It also will consider 20 emissions-reducing projects, which could cost $8 million but would pay for themselves in energy savings, in the budget process.

The Sept. 11 decision made possible an action plan to curb emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane and ozone in the broader community, not just from city operations. The city will estimate the cost of such a program.

Council members were eager to demonstrate their commitment.

"There's definitely going to be some pain around here before we solve this," said Councilman Christopher Moylan, a Stanford University chemistry professor. He said the city needs to act, whether or not it is entirely cost-effective.

The city already pledged to a 20 percent drop in emissions--from 1990 levels--by 2020 when it joined Sustainable Silicon Valley, a local business and government coalition, in August 2006.

"We are all talking about a change in culture and the way of life here," said Amy Chan, city manager.

Additionally, the city will now issue permits for fires in city parks after people were found burning green wood and traffic cones, with no laws to stop them.

To learn more or get active on climate change locally, contact Barbara Fukumoto at barbf53@aol.com or visit coolcities.us.