Cities Respond to Climate Change

by Samuel Wright

Climate change is a major issue being debated not only in the presidential primaries but also in city governments.

States such as Florida and Alaska are experiencing extreme drought conditions while other states such as Massachusetts and New Hampshire are experiencing unusually heavy rains and flooding. Recently, scientists reported that carbon dioxide levels are increasing at three times the rate experienced in the 1990s, contributing to a growing debate over how best to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Although often overshadowed by the national debate, many cities are taking concrete, pro-active steps to reduce their contribution to global climate change.

A growing list of cities in California are publicly and voluntarily reporting their greenhouse gas emissions. Among these cities, San Francisco has been the first to certify its emissions through a public greenhouse gas registry. The results will be used to determine how to prioritize climate change initiatives in the city. Embracing the old adage, “think globally act locally,” San Francisco’s Mayor Gavin Newsom, says, “The enormity of the danger [of ignoring climate change] means its time for all cities to take action locally.”

Registering the city’s emissions creates a benchmark from which to monitor and reduce the city’s emissions, ultimately improving its overall response to the issue. San Francisco hopes to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent below its 1990 levels by the year 2012. Other cities can register their own greenhouse gas emissions in the California Climate Action Registry Database (www.climateregistry.org/carrot/public).

California cities are not the only ones taking the lead. Washington, D.C. is poised to become the first major U.S. city to mandate sustainability guidelines for privately owned real estate.

The law calls for all new development to adhere to standards set by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council. The law pertains to all commercial development of at least 50,000 square feet, which must comply by 2012, and all city-funded commercial projects, which must comply by 2008. D.C.’s new law, says Councilmember Jim Graham, “doesn’t simply rely on platitudes; it really does have requirements.”

In order to receive LEED certification, a building must be awarded a certain number of credits in categories such as site sustainability, energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and materials and resources. Under the D.C. law, publicly funded buildings are required to be certified LEED Silver. In the case of private development, non-residential buildings will have to be LEED certified.

Other certifications are also in use around the country. Green Globes, a green building rating system developed by the Green Building Initiative and endorsed by the National Association of Homebuilders, is also used in six other states and recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Many cities are also combining aesthetics with environmental planning by implementing innovative urban tree canopy initiatives.

In Florida, Sarasota’s Green Canopy program develops and maintains a healthy green environment throughout the city. The program buys and plants a tree in a neighborhood when a watering pledge from two-thirds of the property owners on the street is submitted to the city. In Maryland, Baltimore’s Urban Forestry Initiative plans on doubling the amount of the city's tree canopy through planned, targeted planting and maintenance. A partnership among the Department of Planning, city and state officials as well as residents, the program is projected to increase the tree canopy in the city from 20 percent coverage to 40 percent.

To date, Sarasota has planted more than 2,000 trees and Baltimore, in the process of formalizing the initiative, will increase from 2,000 to 4,000 annually. According to Tufts Climate Initiative, how much carbon dioxide a tree absorbs, its “sequestrian rate,” can vary depending on the age and type of the tree; but it is usually between 3 and 14 pounds per year. The average American produces 20 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Speaking about the Sarasota’s initiative, Urban Forestry Division Manager Demetra McBride, says, "The urban forest is no longer a simple amenity, but a natural utility.”

In addition to reducing air pollution, the trees also act as a watershed management tool and help improve energy conservation.

Cities are not only working individually to address climate change but also are working together through collaborative agreements such as the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Started in 2005 by Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle, the agreement pledges a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2012. The agreement has been signed by more than 500 mayors across the country, representing more than 50 million Americans.

Details: The National League of Cities maintains a City Practices database of more than 7,000 city programs and services, available online and also by contacting the Municipal Reference Service at (202) 626-3031 or mrs@nlc.org.