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Metro Council supports International Day of Climate Action
Metro news release: Oct. 22, 2009
Contact: Karen Kane 503-797-1942, Karen.Kane@oregonmetro.gov
Council passes resolution proclaiming Oct. 24 as Global Day of Climate Action
As a way to raise awareness about the significance of global climate change, the Metro Council has passed a resolution calling for October 24 as an international Day of Climate Action.
The resolution voices Metro's support for global grassroots efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and to focus attention on the December United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen at which world leaders will gather to create a new treaty on climate protocol. The current Kyoto Treaty is set to expire in 2012.
"The importance of a focused effort on climate change cannot be overstated," said Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder, who introduced the resolution. "All nations, non-governmental organizations and citizens should learn the facts about climate change and unite in finding solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
The Metro Council is working to reduce pollution through actions in transportation and land use planning, solid waste and recycling, and education. The Council's Climate Initiative works to provide regional leadership in coordinating the efforts of local governments, civic groups, university systems and business representatives to meet the State of Oregon's greenhouse gas reduction goals. Its current "Making the Greatest Place" initiative, which calls for limited expansion of the urban growth boundary, alternatives to transportation including transit, walking and cycling infrastructure, and development of urban centers will help reduce pollution associated with global warming.
Metro joins the City of Portland in endorsing an event taking place Saturday, Oct. 24 in Pioneer Square. The "350 Awareness Rally", which runs from 1 to 3 p.m., is one of several events endorsed by 350.org , a grassroots organization that promotes awareness of global warming, and which supports scientific research that argues that the earth is in extreme danger when atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide are above 350 parts per million (ppm). Currently, the concentration of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere is 390 ppm.
Saturday's events include music and speakers, and will feature cyclists, kayakers and walkers who took part in a 350-mile coastal trek to call attention to the effort. An aerial photo will be taken during the rally and sent to the Copenhagen Climate Conference delegates and large-screen televisions in Manhattan's Times Square.
Metro, the regional government that serves 1.5 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.
Related Links
Sustainable living
Make the region greener at home, in your garden, at the store and on the road. Sustainable living renews rather than depletes the planet's resources and Metro can show you how.
Making the Greatest Place
The Metro Council is working with local leaders and people throughout the region to create sustainable and prosperous communities for present and future generations. Learn about key decisions that will be made in 2009 and 2010.