Green Communities in America
American consumers are recognizing that their everyday activities affect the environment. Across America, local action involves governments, businesses and social groups -- creating solutions to climate change, habitat loss and other environmental problems right in their own back yards.
America has a strong history of local action. Individuals and communities making efforts to change or enhance their lives long has been part of American culture. As far back as the founding of the country in the late 1700s, the Constitution reserved most rights for the states. In the today’s world, observers can see the same principles at work in dealing with issues that affect everyone.
Foreign observers reading accounts of policymaking in Washington often do not realize the importance of local action in confronting environmental problems. Communities even have implemented initiatives that make real contributions to fighting climate change, a global issue.
American civic life is very diverse and local campaigns can come from many groups. One of these groups is the local government itself -- and in February 2005, a number of America’s cities joined together in the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The agreement was launched by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to advance the goals of the Kyoto Protocol on climate change through action. Despite the fact that the federal government has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, American cities still were able to choose voluntarily to achieve its goals. By November 2007, there were more than 710 members of the program.
Another sector making news with its concern about climate change is religion. According to the beliefs of many religious congregations in America, the earth’s gifts are under threat from man-made problems, and people have an obligation to protect God’s creations. An example of this action - the Evangelical Climate Initiative is a Christian-based program and represents more than 100 evangelical leaders. It has issued calls for federal action on climate change.
American communities are a mix of different types of people who see the value in addressing climate change. The combination of social, commercial, political and religious interest in the problem is leading to innovative thinking and new partnerships.
The tradition of local action in America remains as strong today as at any time in the past. With the challenge of climate change, Americans -- along with friends and allies everywhere -- are taking local action where everyone’ contribution can make a difference.
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