Photo: Brian Larson

Help needed to make Belleville “cool”

Release Date:  Monday, January 05, 2009

Details:

By Amy Funk

Due to the lack of federal action on climate change, local leaders are moving forward with innovative energy solutions to cut our dependence on oil, benefit public health and save tax payers dollars.

The Sierra Club's Cool Cities initiative focuses on getting local communities to make commitments to curb global warming by putting smart energy solutions to work. Springfield and Alton have joined this nationwide effort to curb global warming pollution, and we want Belleville to be next.

The Cool Cities campaign starts with citizens like you urging local governments to sign the U.S Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. This agreement is a commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

The campaign not only encourages mayors to sign the Climate Protection Agreement but to actively implement smart energy solutions in their cities. This can be done by greening municipal vehicle fleets with hybrid and other cleaner engines, making buildings energy efficient, and investing in safe renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

Cities all over the country are implementing viable energy saving solutions that are making them “cool cities” to live and work in.

The Kaskaskia group would like to start a Cool Cities campaign in Belleville and we need your help. This is a chance for local government, businesses and community groups to work together to effectively meet the challenges of climate change.

If you are interested in helping build coalitions and support for this endeavor, please call Amy Funk at 215-2011 or by E-mail at amymkfunk@yahoo.com. We welcome your ideas, time and talents.