Chicago Climate Action Plan Revealed by Mayor Dailey : EcoLocalizer

Chicago Climate Action Plan Revealed by Mayor Dailey

Written by Joshua S Hill

Published on September 21st, 2008

As the US federal government has failed to step up to the plate, many smaller forms of government have realized it will be in their hands to bring about environmental changes. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley revealed Thursday details for the Chicago Climate Action Plan.

The plan will add Mayor Daley to about 800 US mayors who have adopted the Kyoto global warming protocols. Chicago’s new plan will build upon measured already in place and under way in the city, in an attempt to make Chicago the most environmentally friendly city in the US.

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“This is an ambitious plan that contains many important ideas that will ensure Chicago continues to distinguish itself as an environmental role model for the rest of the nation,” Daley said in a news conference held at the Shedd Aquarium. “We can continue to lead by example and the Chicago Climate Action Plan is the next step. We can’t solve the world’s climate change problem in Chicago, but we can do our part. We have a shared responsibility to protect our planet."

Under the plan, developed by a task force convened by Daley back in 2007, the City plans to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 25% below 1990 levels, the recommended baseline put forth by the Kyoto Protocol. And while other cities have set forth similar goals, Chicago’s plan is the first to both identify sources for the emissions and the anticipated impacts, and then propose ideas that specifically respond to those findings.

“This is a challenge, but the benchmark goal is both far enough in the future to allow sufficient time to make substantive changes and close enough to see benefits in our daily lives," Daley said. “Over the next few years we’ll be depending on the commitment and collective action of individuals, businesses and others to do their part."

Amidst the Action Plan is a roadmap of 29 actions that are available for controlling and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in four specific areas; buildings, transportation, energy and waste pollution. And due to the long-term approach of this plan, the success will be reviewed over time, with enough flexibility built in for new technologies, new laws, and new opportunities to be implemented as they arrive.

Some examples from the plan include;

A “Green Office Challenge” that will spur high rise office buildings to save energy, increase recycling and water efficiency and reduce paper.
Innovative ways to help property owners save money by making their buildings more energy efficient.
Large scale solar energy installations at City facilities.
The construction of four publicly accessible alternative fueling stations.

Daley also pointed to the need for each individual to do the small things as well, including driving less and walking more, using energy efficient light-bulbs, insulating and weatherizing your house and turning off appliances in your home when they’re not in use.