Cities’ Climate Fight Sets Goals

As the Trump administration retreats on climate change, US cities are moving forward

Katherine Levine Einstein, David Glick, Maxwell Palmer, February 20, 2018 (The Conversation)

“…[The White House infrastructure plan] contradicts the priorities of many local leaders who view climate change as a growing concern…Mayors overwhelmingly believe that climate change is a result of human activities… Perhaps even more strikingly, [a summer 2017 poll showed] two-thirds of mayors agreed that cities should play a role in reducing the effects of climate change – even if it means making fiscal sacrifices. Cleaner, smarter cities. [Almost two-thirds of the U.S. population lives in cities or incorporated places. While mayors and local governments cannot comprehensively tackle climate change alone, their sizeable political and economic clout may make them an important force.]

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…[The] mayors highlighted a number of environmental initiatives that they were interested in pursuing…Over one-third prioritized reducing the number of vehicles on the road and making city assets, such as buildings and vehicles, more energy-efficient…Other popular programs included shifting toward green and alternative energy sources; promoting energy efficiency in private buildings; reducing risks of damage from flooding; and installing smart traffic lights that can change their own timing in response to traffic conditions. Many mayors are already implementing these initiatives in their communities…[M]ayors largely did not think that such initiatives would require imposing costly new regulations on the private sector…” click here for more

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