The following is the official press release submitted by the Sundance
Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2005
Contact: Jill Rosenblum Tidman (510) 540-8843
jill.rosenblumtidman{at}iclei.org
jilltidman{at}yahoo.com
*******************************************
MAYORS MAKE SUNDANCE SUMMIT ANNUAL EVENT
Mayors Commit to Actions to Stem Climate Change While Saving Money,
Protecting the Environment, and Improving Citizen Quality of Life
SUNDANCE, UTAH--- Mayors from 46 cities, representing 28 states and more
than 10 million U.S. citizens wrapped up their three day Sundance Summit
hosted by Robert Redford, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and the
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) by
committing themselves to tangible actions to address climate change.
Agreeing that they can and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the mayors
collectively expressed a belief that they can create new markets; increase
their use of renewable energy sources; work to both educate and engage their
citizens around not only the issues but the actions to address them;
coordinate with state and federal resources to maximize potential; create a
communication network amongst mayors to share specific successes and ongoing
information and resources and to make Sundance Summit an annual event.
"What happened over the course of the past two days will change the way US
cities consume resources and do business," says Michelle Wyman, ED of ICLEI,
"One of the major challenges we're facing is education on the issue,
information dissemination, statement of fact, and actions you can take to
mitigate global warming. The mayors who joined us indicated their strong
support to go back to their cities and take action."
The mayors agreed that their leadership and commitment to reducing
greenhouse gas reductions will impact other governance levels. On Monday
morning, July 11th, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson addressed the group
and Monday evening former Vice President Al Gore engaged in a candid
discussion with the mayors.
More than 75 percent of the mayors in attendance at the Sundance Summit have
committed to participating in ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection
Campaign- a program that works directly with local governments to achieve
quantifiable greenhouse gas reductions.
Among those actions are:
Ψ Expand public transit access and increase utilization to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
Ψ Increase use of renewable energy in electricity portfolio
Ψ Implement a municipal green purchasing program
(more)
Ψ Work with school districts to develop a global warming curriculum
Ψ Meet with local media including editorial staff to encourage inclusion
of global warming and the city's climate protection activities in local
media
Ψ Increase the scope of communications (and effectiveness) on climate
protection actions the cities are leading
Ψ Develop urban heat island mitigation strategies
The Sundance Summit mayors along with ICLEI and Robert Redford have
committed to continuing to advance climate protection as a collaborative
group. The Sundance Summit will meet on an annual basis and hold regional
meetings in the interim. The goal is to drive more mayors and more cities to
join the Sundance Summit to progressively take tangible local action to
address the issue of global warming.
"The Sundance Summit has resulted in an exciting and growing movement, led
by the actions of mayors across this country who are closest to real people
and are offering real solutions to the most daunting challenge of our
time,"
said conference co-host Robert Redford. "These tangible steps save money,
protect the environment, enhance public health and overall quality of life
and leave me incredibly optimistic for the future."
More on-line: www.sundancesummit.com
# # # #
ICLEI / www.iclei.org <http://www.iclei.org/>
Local Governments for
Sustainability - was founded in 1990 by local governments at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York as the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). ICLEI is a democratically governed
membership association of cities, towns, counties, metropolitan governments,
and local government associations. ICLEI's mission is to build and serve a
worldwide movement of local governments to achieve tangible improvements in
global, environmental sustainability.
Sundance Village / www.sundanceresort.com
<http://www.sundanceresort.com/>
Founded by Robert Redford in 1969, Sundance Village is a 6,000-acre,
destination location, nestled at the base of 12,000-foot Mt. Timpanogos in
Utah's Wasatch Mountain range. Sundance offers diverse year-round mountain
recreation, rustically elegant mountain cottages, and award winning dining.
Year-round cultural programming offers guests an opportunity to experience
performances by leading musicians, discussions with leading authors, art
exhibitions, film screening and theatrical programs.
Salt Lake City, Utah / www.ci.slc.ut.us
<http://www.ci.slc.ut.us/> Situated
at the base of the magnificent Wasatch Mountains, and just 30 minutes away
from several designated Wilderness Areas, Salt Lake City is a diverse
community, home to a wide array of arts, cultural, and outdoor recreational
opportunities. Under the leadership of Mayor Rocky Anderson, the City has
developed Salt Lake City Green, one of the most comprehensive municipal
environmental programs in the nation. Salt Lake City has been a leader in
combating extreme climate change by significantly reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and has fought against sprawl development, automobile dependence,
and deteriorating air quality by incorporating principals of smart growth
development in its transportation, housing, and downtown revitalization
program.
Related Coverage
Climate
Summit Emphasizes Profitability of Going Green - Mayors from around the
U.S. meet to learn more about problem of climate change and to be armed with
solutions that they can implement on the most local level of government. (PESN;
July 14, 2005)
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