Getting Started
climate mitigation
Talking Climate Change and Cities on "Fire It Up with CJ" Radio Show
by Don Knapp Apr 26, 2012
Listen as ICLEI's Monica Gilchrist chats with radio host CJ Liu of "Fire It Up With CJ" about the opportunities and success stories of local governments in addressing climate change, saving energy, and creating healthier, more prosperous communities in the process.
In the second half of the show, Keya Chatterjee of the World Wildlife Fund talks about the Earth Hour City Challenge, and how cities can get involved in this challenge program to fight climate change and expand local renewable energy sources.
Integrating Public Health into Climate Action Planning
by Calfornia Department of Public Health Apr 05, 2012
The Calfornia Dept. of Public Health has released a new publication, Climate Action for Health: Integrating Public Health into Climate Action Planning, for local government and health planners. The Guide provides an overview of climate change as an important health issue and presents ideas for integrating key public health issues into greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions strategies as they are addressed in the Climate Action Plan: Transportation, Land Use, Urban Greening, Food and Agriculture, Residential Energy Use, and Community Engagement and Vulnerable Populations. For more information, contact Kathy Dervin, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Kathy.Dervin@cdph.ca.gov or (510) 620-6245.Many strategies for reducing GHG emissions can also improve the health of a community. This educational resource was developed with the input of state and local climate planners and public health practitioners and provides examples of health-related language from communities around the state, and contains resources and references that will be helpful in local planning and implementation work.
View the Guide (pdf)
How Berkeley Tracks Climate Action Progress
by Don Knapp Jan 16, 2012
An AC Transit bus in Berkeley, CA. Photo credit: lensovet via Wikimedia Commons Local government staff: If a city councilor or community member wanted a detailed progress report on your climate action plan implementation, could you deliver it? Tracking and reporting performance is a key to successful climate action. Take a cue from City of Berkeley, CA, which now provides annual updates via its website for each core strategy of its Climate Action Plan. Berkeley’s website makes clear the benefits of this effort for any local government. You don’t need legions of staff or fancy software to track and report progress, only a smart effort, (especially at the outset), staff commitment, and some well-organized spreadsheets. 
“As sustainability professionals, I don’t think we do a good enough job of communicating what we’re accomplishing,” says Timothy Burroughs, City of Berkeley’s Climate Action Coordinator in the Office of Energy and Sustainable Development. ““We have a lot more work to do, but we’re also doing a ton of great work and we have data that can communicate that story.”
Green Business Challenge Goes Rural in Decorah, Iowa
by Carolyn Corbin and David Paquette, Winneshiek Energy District Jan 09, 2012
More than 50 businesses participated in the Green Business Challenge. At a minimum each business tracked it's energy use with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Many businesses made major improvements to their buildings and operations. Communities around the country have found value in ICLEI's Green Business Challenge model. From increasing energy efficiency to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or engaging businesses to implement sustainable actions, the Green Business Challenge program is easily adaptable for any community. Decorah, Iowa’s Winneshiek Energy District Green Business Challenge is an excellent example of a successful program in a rural community. The District aims to make energy transitioning happen quickly in order to reduce greenhouse gases, improve local economies and create sustainable energy societies. Decorah has 8,000 people and the county has almost 20,000 people.
Tune In for 24 Hours of Climate Reality
by Emma Timboy-Pickering Sep 12, 2011
ICLEI USA is on board as a partner in the Climate Reality Project. Are you? On Wednesday at 7 p.m. in your time zone, go to www.climaterealityproject.org for a live broadcast that reveals the truth about the climate crisis and inspires a new wave of action. As anti-science activists (and politicians) spread myths and misconceptions about climate change, isn't a dose of reality exactly what we need? We like how the Climate Reality people describe how the next 24 hours will unfold: 24 Presenters. 24 Time Zones. 13 Languages. 1 Message. 24 Hours of Reality is a worldwide event to broadcast the reality of the climate crisis. It will consist of a new multimedia presentation created by Al Gore and delivered once per hour for 24 hours, representing every time zone around the globe. Each hour people living with the reality of climate change will connect the dots between recent extreme weather events — including floods, droughts and storms — and the manmade pollution that is changing our climate. We will offer a round-the-clock, round-the-globe snapshot of the climate crisis in real time. The deniers may have millions of dollars to spend, but we have a powerful advantage. We have reality.
Sonoma County Recognized as National Leader on Climate Action
by Emma Timboy-Pickering Aug 25, 2011
The County of Sonoma's Board of Supervisors have shepherded the County's Sonoma County, CA, has joined a handful of leading local
governments nationwide whose advanced climate action achievements place them at
the vanguard of a movement. On August 23, the County received a Milestone
Achievement Award from ICLEI USA’s Interim Executive Director, Michael Schmitz,
in recognition of the County completing the fifth and final Milestone of
ICLEI’s Five Milestones for Climate Mitigation process. What this means is that the County has quantified its climate action progress and has achieved one of its primary greenhouse gas reduction goals it set in 2003, thanks to a diverse range of initiatives and programs. “The County of
Sonoma is a vital part of the effort in California to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions,” said Schmitz. “ICLEI is proud to acknowledge achievement of the
important Milestone Five.”
national leadership and success on climate action. Supervisors, clockwise from
back left: Mike McGuire, Valerie Brown, David Rabbitt, Efren Carrillo, and Shirlee
Zane. Photo credit: County of Sonoma website
Fort Collins, CO, Cuts GHG Emissions 11% While Growing Local Economy
by Don Knapp Aug 14, 2011
Downtown Fort Collins, CO. Photo credit: ScottE22 via flickr A major kudos to longtime ICLEI member, the City Fort Collins, CO, which has reduced its C02 emissions by 11 percent since 2005. Here's some further inspiration for other cities and counties, courtesy of a Denver Post article: While cutting emissions, the City simultaneously grew its gross domestic product by 4 percent and was recognized nationally for its livability and business-friendly climate. During this period, the City's population also increased 13 percent. The bottom line: GHG reduction targets are not only achievable, but compatible with economic prosperity.
A Comeback for PACE Programs? Fingers Are Crossed
by Don Knapp Jul 19, 2011
PACE has a pulse. Today a group of Congressional leaders introduced legislation that would restore local governments' ability to run property-assessed clean energy (PACE) programs. The bipartisan PACE Protection Act from Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) and Nan Hayworth (R-N.Y.) would again allow cities and counties to help property owners finance energy efficiency and renewable energy modifications for their homes and commercial buildings – without any government subsidies or taxes. ICLEI USA enthusiastically supports the PACE Protection Act. PACE programs have been proven to create local jobs and stimulate local economies, help property owners save money and energy, and help communities reach their energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals. A common-sense win-win-win idea that was nevertheless stymied by the Federal Housing Finance Agency's overreaching and myopic decision to block the programs last year.
Lessons From Four Leading Resilient Cities
by Don Knapp Jul 11, 2011
Ever been to Rotterdam, Dresden, Bonn, or Freiburg? All four European cities are steeped in history and culture ... and innovative thinking to address climate change. You can take a virtual tour of these cities by watching a recording of ICLEI's June 2011 webinar, "Lessons From Leading Resilient Cities." In this webinar, both ICLEI staff and local government staff share their takeaways and experiences while touring these cities before and during the Resilient Cities 2011 Congress. Each city is pioneering smart approaches to climate mitigation and adaptation, and holds lessons for communities in the United States.
View the Recorded Webinar (members only) View the Presentation Slides (pdf, members only)
Annual Report: How ICLEI Empowers Sustainable Communities
by Don Knapp Jul 06, 2011
Look inside for:
ICLEI USA is proud to release our 2010 Annual Report: Empowering Sustainable Communities. Read about our evolution and impact over the past year, and where we’re headed in 2011 and beyond.
ICLEI USA is the leading organization that supports local governments dedicated to climate action, clean energy, and sustainability. No other organization can match ICLEI’s comprehensive approach, and no organization understands local climate action and sustainability better than we do. Read our Annual Report and you’ll see why.
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