Very Hot Topic: Nation's Mayors Praise Congress for Accelerating Action on Climate Legislation
The nation's mayors under the leadership of Conference President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels praised Members of the US House of Representatives for approving historic energy and climate legislation.
On the Congressional action, Conference President Mayor Nickels stated, "This is a landmark vote that will help cities transform to a clean energy economy. For years, there was debate over the existence of global warming. Then came discussions about what to do about it. Today, we take substantive action. We praise Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey and so many other House leaders for their leadership and courage in taking this necessary first step toward enacting critically needed national climate legislation. With Senate action, we will enter the era of clean energy. I stand ready to work with President Obama and Congress to create jobs in this new economy, and to lay the foundation for a cleaner and more secure energy future. This is good for our environment, good for our people, and good for our cities."
"The nation's mayors will continue to press Congress to move this legislation forward, while insisting that its provisions embrace and invest directly in cities and counties, since our communities are where the challenge of reducing our nation's carbon emissions exists," said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the US Conference of Mayors.
Hot Topic: 'Step Up' to CCP Partner
- Martin Brennan & Wayne Wescott to oversee CCP Partners
The response to CCP Partners has been encouraging and we thank those councils who have already responded to the invitation to work with ICLEI over the coming financial year. The goal is to continue to mobilise and politically support local governments to take action on climate change. CCP Partners is in response to the need to:
- re-focus our efforts in support of influencers and decision-makers in Council; the coming months and years are critical ones for responding to climate change
- advocate that climate action now needs to incorporate the work of mitigation (which we have been doing for many years) with the uncertain, and more difficult to quantify, adaptation agenda
- continue to seek resources to support standards for both technical and policy work
- maintain the advocacy support provided by the Australasian Mayors Council for Climate Protection (AMCCP)
- assert the need to explore opportunities for new ways of promoting community action and co-operation.
For more information please visit CCP Partners Program 2009-10.
If you wish to indicate your interest in joining CCP Partners or discuss how benefits will support your climate change action and contribute to our advocacy on your behalf, please contact Martin Brennan on +61 (0)3 9660 2299.
Leaders Snapshots
Leaders Snapshots provides a running coverage of work undertaken to support the political leadership of mayors and councillors. Briefings and presentations to councils are available on request. Contact Martin Brennan, Deputy CEO ICLEI Oceania.
Mayor Profile
Mayor Nickolas Varvaris – Kogarah Council
"I've been a Councillor for some nine years including two terms as Mayor and from the very beginning of my service, I have been a key driver of the paradigm shift of Council's vision to incorporate long-term sustainability within its outcomes.
During my previous Mayoral term in 2006, I had the great pleasure to represent Council at the LIVCOM (Livable Community) Awards in Spain. I was also a key player in Council's introduction of our environmental levy, but the significant achievement was not just its introduction, but gaining support across our entire local community prior to its introduction.
I take great delight in the knowledge that I have been at least partly responsible for shifting our organisational culture to embrace lessening our environmental footprint."
