Activists launch campaign to green up local cities

Activists launch campaign to green up local cities

by Denyse Frischmuth
Sierra Club Newsletter
June 18, 2006

Activists are working to get local cities to commit to more sustainable practices. Americans for an Informed Democracy, which is leading the campaign, (AIDemocracy) works with college and high school students nationwide on raising awareness of global issues and encouraging environmental practices. On its Earth Day conference at CSUMB, AIDemocracy launched its campaign to get local cities to sign on to the Urban Environmental Accords proclaimed by the United Nations at the UN World Environment Day in June 2005. The Accords were first developed by the City of San Francisco and modified by mayors of cities all over the world.

These Accords, which have been endorsed by the Sierra Club, cover seven areas with three actions each. Cities commit to achieving the goals within seven years. The goals are

o Energy (renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change)

o Waste Reduction (zero waste, manufacturer responsibility, consumer responsibility)

o Urban Design (green building, urban planning, slums)

o Urban Nature (parks, habitat restoration, wildlife)

o Transportation (public transit, clean vehicles, reducing congestion)

o Environmental Health (toxics reduction, healthy food, clean air)

o Water (water access & efficiency, source water conservation, water waste reduction).

To help cities as they work on implementing the Accords, the Environmental Affairs Department of the City of San Francisco will share information about its own experience implementing the Accords. Recognizing that each city's circumstances is unique, the Accords grant cities autonomy in creating benchmarks and goals. The process is self regulating.

Reduction in energy costs is a very attractive and important benefit cities experience as a result of their investments in eco-friendly projects. For example, Syracuse, N.Y., a signatory to the Accords, claims it is saving almost $1 million a year through its environmentally-friendly practices.

It is recognized that not all cities will achieve all 21 goals in seven years, but signing on means a commitment to work towards a healthier environment and the opportunity to have the city's accomplishments recognized worldwide. A City Green Star Program will be created to grant recognition for a city's accomplishments at the end of the seven years: a four-star city will have completed between 19 and 21 actions, a three-star city between 15 and 18, two stars for 12 to 17 actions completed and one star for 8 to 11.

Locally, Capitola has already signed on to the Accords. Other Northern California cities which have adopted the Accords include San Francisco, Oakland, Emeryville, Novato, and San Jose.

How to help

To get involved contact Yuri Beckelman, AIDemocracy Regional Director, 238-6246, yuri@aidemocracy.org.

Visit the AIDemocracy website, www.aidemocracy.org/coalition.cfm.