Mayors Meet in Alaska to Tackle Global Climate Change
Bipartisan Group of 30 Mayors Represent Next Wave of Local Climate Leaders

More than two dozen mayors from 17 states will come together in Girdwood, Alaska September 16-18, 2006 to accelerate and broaden local action to address global climate change. The mayors will be joined by climate scientists, corporate and Alaska Native leaders, and U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, to discuss how they can strengthen their communities by both preparing for and reducing their contribution to global climate change.

“Alaska is a vast and beautiful place and a prime example of the challenges cities across the United States will be facing with climate change,” said Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. “We need to take concrete steps now to make our communities more resilient to climate change, and we have a responsibility to put in place cost-saving, efficient strategies to reduce our emissions.”

“Strengthening Our Cities: Mayors Responding to Global Climate Change” is the first-ever meeting where mayors will see the devastating impacts of climate change first-hand, from retreating glaciers to insect-infested forests. A recent poll by Zogby International, a polling and research firm, shows that more than 70 percent of Americans are convinced that global climate change is a reality and measures should be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to improve the environment without harming the economy.

“This meeting will build on the work already started by mayors,” said Tom Cochran, Executive Director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Mayors have been leading the way on this issue through local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This meeting will provide the additional assistance needed to keep cities moving forward as we strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stop global warming.”

The Municipality of Anchorage, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, and the Alaska Conservation Foundation are sponsoring this unique meeting to reach out to mayors in every region of the country to demonstrate how actions taken now to prepare for climate impacts and reduce emissions will save cities money. In 2004 alone, the 147 cities taking steps to reduce emissions saved over $600 million in energy costs.

“Mayors are stepping up to the plate and showing real leadership on this critical issue. The mayors at this meeting show that global warming is not a partisan issue or one just left to our largest cities. Every community has a stake in the outcome,” said Michelle Wyman, Executive Director of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability.

The conference opens Saturday, Sept. 16 with a welcome dinner at the Alyeska Prince Hotel in Girdwood. The workshops/discussions begin Sunday, Sept. 17 at 8:30 a.m.

Participants

Mark Begich, Mayor, Anchorage, AK
Stanley Tocktoo, Mayor, Shishmaref, AK
John Williams, Mayor. Kenai Borough, AK
Charlie Hopson, Assembly Chair, No. Slope Borough, AK
Bruce Botelho, Mayor, Juneau, AK
Mary Kvakheim, Assembly member, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK
Denise Michaels, Mayor, Nome, AK
Vanta Shafer, Mayor, Seward, AK
Glen Gardner Jr., Mayor, Sand Point, AK
Jeff Jacobson, Mayor, North Pole, AK
Dan Coody, Mayor, Fayetteville, AR
Patrick Henry Hays, Mayor, No.Little Rock, AR
Marty Blum, Mayor, Santa Barbara, CA
Heather Fargo, Mayor, Sacramento, CA
Helen Klanderud, Mayor, Aspen, CO
Pegeen Hanrahan, Mayor, Gainesville, FL
Harry Kim, Mayor Hilo, HI
T.M. Franklin Cownie, Mayor, Des Moines, IA
John Engen, Mayor, Missoula, MT
Paul Babb, Mayor, Butte, MT
Martin Griffin, Mayor, Jackson, MI
Michael Blastos, Mayor, Keene, NH
Patrick McCrory, Mayor, Charlotte, NC
Dennis Walaker, Mayor, Fargo, ND
Brian Wahler, Mayor, Piscataway, NJ
Don Robard, Mayor, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Kitty Piercy, Mayor, Eugene, OR
Joe McElveen, Mayor, Sumter, SC
Rosemarie Ives, Mayor, Redmond, WA
Rocky Anderson, Mayor, Salt Lake City, UT

###