Sun Valley Mayor Jon Thorson is picking up where the federal government left off, adopting resolutions aimed at battling climate change through viable and realistic means.
"We need to do our part. We need to stand up and be counted, and this is a good starting point," Thorson said.
The pact is called the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and was unanimously endorsed by the City Council on Jan. 18. The agreement mirrors the Kyoto Protocol, the international accord designed to address climate change. The Kyoto Protocol became law on Feb. 16, 2005, for the 141 countries that ratified it. The U.S. symbolically signed the protocol, but neither ratified nor withdrew from the pact. As far as the U.S. is concerned, this stalemate effectively nullifies the protocol.
Also on Feb. 16, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels launched the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol through the leadership and action of at least 141 American cities. As of Jan. 18, 2007, 369 mayors representing more than 55 million Americans have accepted the challenge. Sun Valley, Boise and Pocatello represent Idaho's contribution to the cause.
"Jon (Thorson), thank you for putting this on the agenda," Councilman Nils Ribi said during a City Council work session on Jan. 17.
Ribi reiterated the urgency for addressing climate change by citing statistics from a study conducted by scientists at Stratus Consulting and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The study is the first comprehensive scientific study of global warming's potential effect on the snow sports industry.
"The study predicts mountain temperatures will rise 10 degrees by 2030 and will 'significantly' shortening the ski season," Ribi said. However, "in 100 years, if we don't have a ski resort, that's the least of our problems."
Ribi had the unique opportunity of discussing Sun Valley's approach to combating global warming with former Vice President Al Gore prior to Gore's keynote address Monday at the Frank Church Conference on Global Warming in Boise.
"Vice President Gore applauded Sun Valley for signing the agreement and for our continued commitment" to the environment, Ribi said.
Gore went on to congratulate Sun Valley during his keynote address.
"I think it gives us the impetus to move forward and the rationale to move forward," Ribi said. "It is the overwhelming consensus of the world that we need to battle global warming."
The Sun Valley resolution states: "We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in our own operations and communities."
This includes a 7-percent reduction in greenhouse emissions from 1990 levels by 2012. That is the suggested reduction target suggested for the U.S. had the Kyoto Protocol been ratified.
The mayor's plan includes specific methods and criteria for emissions reduction. Notable actions include the adoption of land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space and create compact, walkable urban communities—actions Sun Valley already establish through their comprehensive plan.
In addition, the city seeks to promote transportation options such as bicycle trails and incentives for carpooling and public transit.
Energy efficiency is a large part the search for sustainable living, and the city will strive to increase the use of clean, alternative energy by investing in "green tags." Green tags are created when solar power or other renewable energy sources are substituted for traditional power. Sustainable building practices will also be employed through the U.S. Green Building Council's International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (LEED).
A large part of reducing greenhouse gas emissions involves increasing the average fuel efficiency of the municipal fleet of vehicles. This will include the reduction of the number of city vehicles, an employee education program and, ultimately, the conversion of diesel vehicles to bio-diesel.
"Our (fire) trucks are not out running up and down the street all the time. At least I hope they're not," Sun Valley Fire Chief Jeff Carnes said. "We do work in and among the community a lot, and I am out driving all the time. I think it's great, and I am all for it."
"Looking at the goals, they're big," Councilwoman Ann Agnew said. "What they (the U.S. Mayors Agreement) ask us to do is going to be inconvenient and on some levels expensive."
Ribi reminded all in attendance that "it goes to the resort economy, which is a really important part of what we do here in Sun Valley."
On Monday, Jan. 23, 10 CEOs from what CNN News described as "major U.S. corporations, including DuPont, Alcoa and General Electric, urged President Bush to fight global warming." The CEOs stated that the fight does not have to hurt economically, a direct contradiction of the administration's current position.
In addition to local and regional improvements, the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement vows to use its strength of numbers to urge Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation. Specifically, this includes clear timetables, defined emission limits and a flexible, market-based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries.
Sun Valley Fire Capt. Mal Prior, Fire Chief Jeff Carnes and Assistant Fire Chief Patrick McMahon stand in front of Engine 62 in Sun Valley. Carnes says he is ?all for? the potential switch to bio-diesel for the city?s fleet of diesel-fueled vehicles. Photo by Willy Cook
