December, 2007: Preventing Climate Change
From the Computer of Mayor Dave
I attended the Mayor‘s Conference on Climate Protection in November. This important conference spotlighted the critical importance of taking action to protect us from climate change. Lake Forest Park is a signatory to the Mayor‘s Climate Protection Agreement to promote climate protection and the goals of the Kyoto Protocol.
Obviously this is a huge initiative. It will take rethinking how we all do business. It also represents an opportunity for new and creative responses to how we live and work. The City will be taking a look at how we can do more. We have already done some things. Our trucks have been retrofitted to use biodiesel, we are looking into new battery supplies so we do not have to idle cars and trucks. The City will be continuing to identify ways to reduce our carbon footprint in the coming year.
Homeowners can also take steps. Change your light bulbs to the new fluorescent ones, update your appliances so they are all energy star, replace your toilets with low flow toilets, make sure your windows and doors are sealed to reduce heat leakage, you can also walk, ride your bike and take the bus more often. In the long term these changes will save you money and reduce carbon emissions.
- Carbon Footprint Calculators and Worksheets at RecyclingCenters.org
- A page of helpful tools for estimating your carbon footprint. The analyzing tools help you factor the costs and benefits of different approaches to reducing your impact on the world‘s climate.