Mayor signs climate protection agreement

Just in time for Earth Day 2006, Mayor Mark Kruzan officially signed the United States Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Friday at City Hall.\nKruzan joins 224 mayors from 39 states in signing the agreement, which calls for reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the nation and world.\nThe agreement was passed unanimously by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June 2005 as a reaction to the federal government's refusal to ratify the United Nation's Kyoto Protocol earlier that year.\nThe protocol calls for the United States, which produces nearly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, to reduce those emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.\nKruzan explained why it took approximately 10 months to sign Bloomington up in favor of the agreement.\n"I've long wanted to become a signatory to the agreement," Kruzan said. "But I didn't want to do so until we had a plan of action in place to actually reduce pollution."\nKruzan made note of steps already taken by the city toward pollution prevention and reduction.\nSpecifically, he listed:\n• The city has initiated an internal city government, "Team Green," made up of representatives of every city department and aimed at identifying and implementing energy conservation methods and sustainable practices for all city-owned properties.\n• The new Bloomington Utilities Department Headquarters will incorporate multiple sustainable features, such as a high-efficiency electrical design, low-flow toilets and sinks, rain cisterns and permeable pavements.\n• City vehicles now operate on soy-biodiesel fuel, resulting in lower air emissions.\n• The creation of the Commission of Sustainability will play a key role in public awareness efforts.\n• The city's Environmental Commission has undertaken a preliminary greenhouse emissions inventory for the community.\nKruzan also outlined ways citizens can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the Climate Protection Agreement through daily action.\nSome of the tips include the buying of organic, locally grown food, switching to fluorescent bulbs, the reduced use of automobiles and the lobbying of legislators. \nCity Councilman Dave Rollo, who presented a resolution which passed through the council last week supporting the Kyoto Protocol, spoke at the signing.\n"We must act, or it'll be like putting on the brakes after the car has already gone over the cliff," he said.