Leaders in Climate Action

When all is said and done, all actions that have the biggest impact on protecting the climate are local actions. It’s what we do in our own backyard that counts the most. The science is there to keep score and tell us how we are doing.

Norway, New Zealand and Costa Rica have all pledged to set policies and procedures in place to bring emissions in these three countries to net zero by 2040. New Zealand has gone farther, with a promise that 90% of their electricity will come from renewable sources by 2025.

The 190 countries assembled here in Bali, (with the exception of the U.S.) agreed with the target range of 25-45% emissions reductions below 1990 levels by 2020. This is what the scientists have urged, and most world leaders are in agreement.

In the U.S., more than 728 mayors representing 25% of the U.S. population have agreed to take climate protection actions on their own. In the U.K., the City of London, and 15 other cities have joined together to create a similar climate protection pact.

London’s Deputy Mayor, Nicky Gavron understands the urgency of action, and the risk that rising sea levels would bring to the city. Like the USMayors.org, the 16 cities in England have agreed to join together and form a cooperative purchase agreement for renewable energy and energy conservation products and services. This cooperative purchase process is being facilitated the Clinton Global Initiative.

In 2008, 190 nations will join the UNFCCC in Poland and measure the progress they have made over the year on negotiations. In 2009, they meet again in Copenhagen. While the 2009 meeting will conclude with a formal Agreement, the real roadmap is being developed on the ground, close to home.

Over the next two years, Votelink will have a role to play with the UN and US mayors. We plan to offer community energy planning to mayors representing 100 U.S. cities who want to take a leadership role here. We also plan to link scientists, environmentalists, policy makers, and interested members of the public together, to continue the discussions from the 140 Side Events at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali.

All climate change actions are local. It’s time we affirm that WE are the change we have been waiting for.