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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Launches Seattle Climate Action Now
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/21/2007 9:45:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor Launches Seattle Climate Action Now
Grassroots campaign will help everyone in Seattle take action to protect the climate
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels joined community and business leaders today to launch Seattle Climate Action Now, a grassroots campaign to encourage everyone in Seattle to reduce global warming pollution at home, on the road and in their neighborhoods.
Sponsored by the city of Seattle with the support of community groups, nonprofit organizations and businesses, Seattle Climate Action Now (www.seattlecan.org) will help people make smart choices to protect the city and the planet from the threat of climate change. Using online resources and community events, the public awareness campaign will connect people across the street and across the city make a difference for the future of our environment.
"A lot of people want to do something about global warming, but they aren't sure how or where to start," Nickels said. "Seattle Climate Action Now will bring saving the planet down to earth. This effort will inspire people to take action while building a community that is committed to leaving our city and our world a better place for our children and their children."
The campaign is breaking new ground in Seattle by combining the efforts of city government with the commitment of community groups, nonprofits and businesses around Seattle to help reduce global warming pollution. The city plans to continue the campaign for the foreseeable future. Funding for the effort is part of the mayor's 2008 budget proposal to the City Council.
Seattle Climate Action Now stems from Nickels' efforts to make Seattle a leader in the effort to find a solution to the threat of global warming. Since Nickels launched the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005, 672 cities across the United States have joined Seattle in pledging to reduce carbon emissions 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. Today, about 24 percent of the country's population lives in cities that have decided to take action.
Seattle is working to reach that goal by providing clean, renewable energy through City Light; encouraging the construction of energy-efficient commercial and residential buildings, promoting the use of alternative fuels; and making it easier and safer to walk, bike and take transit.
A centerpiece of Seattle Climate Action now is a new web site - www.seattlecan.org - that will make it easy for everyone to get involved. It features simple steps that people can take to cut carbon emissions that are causing global warming. The site's calendar and homepage will be a clearinghouse for information about climate-related events and activities across the city.
The web site will also feature Zerofootprint Seattle, a first-of-its-kind climate-action planner that allows people to develop personalized actions plans for reducing their climate pollution. Zerofootprint Seattle also allows residents to see the effect of their actions individually, and it adds them up to show the community-wide benefit.
The campaign includes a large and growing number of climate action partners, including community groups, nonprofits and businesses, who want to play a role in finding solutions to the threat of climate change. Partners include high-profile companies, such as Starbucks, Nordstrom and Bartell Drugs, and community groups, such as Sustainable Ballard and the Cascade Bicycle Club. A complete list of partners and resources is available on the Seattle Climate Action Now web site.
To keep momentum going throughout the year and beyond, the City will help organize community action days that will bring neighborhoods together to work on climate solutions. The events will focus on helping people reduce home energy use and make smart transportation choices.
The campaign launches this weekend with community action events around the city.
The city will give away free compact florescent light bulbs at all Seattle Public Library branches on Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. The bulbs are provided as part of City Light's Twist & Save program.
Seattle Seahawks fans will receive tips on reducing climate pollution during Sunday's game at Qwest Field and the team will air a special message about Seattle Climate Action Now on the stadium's "Hawkvision" video screen.
In addition, four neighborhoods are hosting free climate-related events open to the public:
Columbia City Climate Action Now Bike Fair
Corner of Ferdinand Street and Rainier Avenue South - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The city of Seattle, BikeWorks, the Bikery, Washington Bike Alliance, Cascade Bicycle Club, and the Tutta Bella will host a bicycle resources fair to learn more about biking in Seattle -equipment, safety, maintenance, and routes. Come for the resources and demonstrations, stay for the pizza. Information about how you can participate in Seattle Climate Action Now will be highlighted.
West Seattle Climate Action Now Conversation
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W. - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The city of Seattle and Sustainable West Seattle will host a community conversation about neighborhood climate solutions. Come early to see a biodiesel demonstration by General Bio-Diesel (9-9:30 a.m.), and stay for a welcome by the mayor and a panel discussion on climate action by West Seattle leaders, including King County Councilmember Dow Constantine. Bring used batteries and fluorescent light bulbs for safe disposal, and receive a free energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulb. Information about how you can participate in Seattle Climate Action Now will be highlighted.
ID-Chinatown Climate Action Now Save Fair
Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave. S. - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The City of Seattle and International District Partners invite you to an ID-Chinatown Climate Action Now Save Fair to learn more about how you can save resources and protect the planet. Come see a biodiesel demonstration by General Bio-Diesel (11:15-11:45), hear a welcome from the mayor, visit booths on energy conservation, pick up a free compact fluorescent bulbs, and find out how you can participate in Seattle Climate Action Now.
Phinney-Greenwood Climate Action Now Fair
Greenwood Library Plaza, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N. - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The City of Seattle and Phinney-Greenwood Climate Change Action Now (CCAN) invite you to a climate action resource fair. Join city Council Member Richard Conlin and state Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles to learn how you can take action on climate change, and to mingle with neighbors also taking action.
Climate Action Partners, including the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, Nordstrom and Dr. Dan's Biodiesel are also holding Seattle Climate Action Now activities this weekend. Visit www.seattlecan.org for a full list of weekend climate-protection events.
Visit the mayor's Web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor's inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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