Lake Saint Louis urged to sign climate agreement
April 30, 2008
Lake Saint Louis, MO
At the Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen meeting on Apr. 21, resident Dee Gish urged Mayor Potter and the Board of Aldermen to sign and support the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.
“The goal of the agreement is to reduce global warming pollution levels by involving federal, state and local governments,” Gish said.
Under the agreement, participating cities commit to take actions such as: striving to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities through environmental actions; urging state and federal governments to enact policies to meet suggested greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, a 7 percent reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and urging the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation regarding emissions limits.
Gish cited the views of scientists when she warned about changes predicted to happen in Missouri. She mentioned changes such as: winters coming later and springs coming sooner; heat waves especially difficult on the very young and old and those with respiratory and heart complications; increased seasonal flooding; an increase in tornadoes and violent weather; and changes in Missouri ecology resulting in new arrivals of invasive species.
“I am also convinced that while individual actions such as changing your light bulbs to CFL’s can help reduce energy consumption,” she said, “only government policy from the local to the federal can affect the large changes needed to mitigate environmental catastrophe.”
Gish stated that as of Apr. 14, 2008, 832 cities across the country have signed the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, including 19 from Missouri.
“As elected officials, I believe that you have the duty to be educated about the environmental threats to our community.” Gish said.
“I also believe you have a duty to serve in the best interest of our community and to the greatest extent possible mitigate these threats.” she said.
Gish offered to purchase software to inventory the city’s carbon footprint. She offered the $600 software if the mayor and board of aldermen convene a working environmental task force and sign the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement before the end of May.
Gish’s presentation was met with applause from those attending the meeting.
Charlotte Norton, Alderman Ward 2, said that she had already looked into the agreement stating that the following cities have already signed: Florissant, Kirkwood, Maplewood, Pleasant Valley, City of St. Louis, St. Peters, Sunset Hills and University City.
“I would also urge us to do that,” Norton said.
John Pellerito, Alderman Ward 3, stated that Alton, Illinois as well as ten communities near Kansas City have recently signed this agreement.
“I think this is important,” Pellerito said.
Mayor Potter assigned the topic to be brought up again at the next Board of Aldermen meeting, May 19.
For more information on the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, see this website.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town