Making a Statement

Local government leaders captured the national spotlight during Local Climate Action Week

ICLEI USA
December 14, 2008

Last week, hundreds of local government leaders from coast to coast joined together and made a giant impact. During Local Climate Action Week -- December 8 to 15 – they called on President-elect Obama and Congress to invest economic recovery dollars and long-term resources to fund local government projects that stimulate the economy, create green jobs, reduce energy consumption and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Local Climate Action Week, organized by ICLEI USA and Climate Communities, saw federal leaders and the national media take note of local governments’ leadership, priorities, and commitment to climate protection and sustainability.

--The Climate Action Blueprint, endorsed by more than 390 elected local government leaders, was presented to President-elect Obama and his advisors. The Blueprint and its accompanying letter to Obama set forth a vision for a new federal-local partnership, in which federal assistance and investment empowers local governments to play a key role in decreasing America’s dependence on foreign oil, creating new green jobs, and reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

--Congressional leaders, as well as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, were also presented with the Blueprint and an accompanying letter.

--President-elect Obama and members of Congress also received a detailed list of ready-to-go clean energy and energy efficiency projects – from Sacramento County, Calif. to Charlottesville, Va. -- that local governments can implement with federal green recovery dollars.

--Dozens of local governments held media events in which they reached out to local media, touting their climate action and sustainability successes and stating publicly their support for the Blueprint and its message.

--Local government leaders generated local and national media buzz through the following stories:

• Locavores shout out to Obama
  
• Arlington mayor calls on incoming pres to help with green jobs
  
• Grease is the word
  
• Greenbacks for Green Projects
  
• Leon County touts its "Going Green" efforts with tour of facility
  
• Leon County touts its 'Going Green' efforts
  
• Metro D.C. Ready to Go Green...with Federal Money
  
• Rockville Council nearly unanimous
  
• Syracuse mayor signs climate action blueprint
  
• Kansas City Councilmembers Join Call for Federal Investment in Local 'green' Programs
  
• Westchester County Executive joins national effort to press Obama on global warming plan
  
• Des Moines Mayor supports boost in 'green' aid
  
• Sacramentans call for green behind green promises
  
• Local Governments Call on Obama and Congress to Invest in Local Climate Action
  
• Morning Brief: Local Leaders Want Green Jobs
  
• D.C.-area governments want federal funds for green projects
  
• Localities Make a Pitch for Energy-Efficient Projects
  
• Des Moines Mayor calls for federal money to aid local environmental efforts
  
• Hybrid Streetcar to Lead Savannah Climate Action Parade
  
• 2 New York county executies urge green effort
• Gainesville, Fla., and Alachua County leaders look to 'green job' option
• Local Climate Action Week Kicks Off in Charlottesville, Va.
• Dane County, Wis., Exec. Falk, Madison Mayor Cieslewicz highlight local green jobs
  
• Brambleton Safety Center Touted As Climate Change Project
• $15 million collaborative to help El Paso save energy
• Chorus of cities ask for climate cash (ClimateWire subscription required)
  
• Local Governments Call on President-elect Obama and Congress to Invest Economic Recovery Dollars in Local Climate Action