| Letter to Alaska Mayors In Support of the US Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement |
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(For Alaskan Mayors) Dear Mayor (Insert Your Mayor’s Name Here), I am writing to urge you to sign the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. Global warming is a very serious problem and has already caused annual temperatures in Alaska to increase an average of 4? Fahrenheit over the last 50 years. As you know, throughout Alaska we are experiencing melting glaciers, increased insect infestations, melting permafrost, new invasive species, ocean acidification, drying lakes, warming rivers, increased fires, reduced wetlands, and more. (Include personal observations on the effects of global warming in your community) There is a significant scientific consensus that humans are causing global warming by the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into our atmosphere. We must take the lead in fighting global warming and working to reduce our emissions to below 1990 levels. Because the federal government is currently not taking action on this matter, it is up to our local communities to lead the way. The Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement calls for us by 2012 to reduce emissions in our own community 7% below 1990 levels through a number of simple methods, such as increased recycling, higher building standards, and promotion of public transportation. Currently, 637 mayors nationwide have signed this agreement, including Mayor Mark Begich of Anchorage. I strongly encourage you to visit http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate/ to learn more about the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and to sign on. Reducing our emissions at a local level can be very easy. There are many resources available, and I especially urge you to connect with ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, which has specifically created a “Cities for Climate Protection” program, providing extensive assistance and support to communities trying to reduce their emissions and promote cleaner initiatives. Their website is available at http://www.iclei.org/co2. Alaska is at the forefront of global warming, and I believe that it is imperative that we take action immediately to protect our state. We can reduce our emissions now. Please join 637 mayors and over 70 million Americans to reduce the threat of global warming.
Sincerely, (Include your name and contact information here) |