About 18 months ago, the City of San Ramon joined an organization now called ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. In joining ICLEI the City pledged to "take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change". After an extensive email exchange with David Krueger, the City's ICLEI Staff Liaison, I've learned that the City's entire 18-month effort to promote public awareness consists of a single sentence in a recycling mailing suggesting that citizens "reduce their carbon footprint".
Apparently a greenhouse gas inventory has been done but is not accessible to the public despite the fact that ICLEI's Executive Director claims "ICLEI's local government members follow methodologies and standards and take part in ongoing reporting that fosters the kind of transparency and rigor required of any entity addressing climate change"
Mayor Abram Wilson is the City's Elected Official Liaison to ICLEI, thus the leader of the leadership efforts. According to ICLEI, Mayor Wilson's role includes helping "motivate local government personnel and community members to accomplish climate protection goals". For several weeks I've tried unsuccessfully to get a comment from him on the City's lack of reporting, transparency, and any attempt to engage the citizenry. Perhaps he believes silence is a good motivator.
Meanwhile CO2 continues to accumulate in the atmosphere. And San Ramon's favorite corporate citizen Chevron is threatening to usurp the City's leadership role by participating in a disruptive "Energy Citizen" campaign to derail climate change legislation.
Will the City uphold its pledge? Will it stand up against Chevron? Will Abram Wilson take charge? I'm not holding my breath.
In any case, at next Tuesday's (8/25) City Council meeting, a local group called Contra Costa County Climate Leaders will encourage the City Council to move forward on policies to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They could use the support of any citizens who believe this is too important to ignore.
Town Square
Why is Abram Wilson fiddling around as the world burns?
Original post made by Joe Queirolo on Aug 22, 2009
Comments (3)
Posted by Roz Rogoff,
the San Ramon Observer
on Aug 28, 2009 at 11:32 am
Roz Rogoff is a registered user.
on Aug 28, 2009 at 11:32 am
Roz Rogoff is a registered user.
Joe,
I answered your message about the last City Council Meeting in one of my Preview threads, but I see you are already quite aware of the Contra Costa County Climate Leaders Program which doesn't surprise me.
As I wrote in my other comment, Vice Mayor Dave Hudson said San Ramon is already meeting the group's requirements. The speaker, Former Moraga Mayor Lynda Deschambault who is overseeing the project, asked for information to update Web Link the group's website on the San Ramon page. So we shall see where this goes next.
BTW I just had solar panels put on my roof and traded in my old pickup truck (clunker) on a new Ford Focus. So I'm doing my part!
Roz
Posted by Dave,
a resident of San Ramon
on Aug 30, 2009 at 8:28 pm
on Aug 30, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Joe: 31% of Ca. GHG emissions come from light trucks and cars. SB375 says we are going to reduce these levels of emission to 1990 levels by 2020 through three means. Miles per gallon per vehicle will be increased, carbon will be removed from gasoline, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT)will be reduced. The VMT is accomblished through enhanced transit and building within one half mile of a transit facility. Our city center is such a facility and has been given a priority development area (PDA) designation by the 9 county bay area governments. If you don't agree with this you should take it up with Sacramento. They are the ones that made this the law in AB32, SB375, and the Ca. Climate Action Scoping Plan. AB32 is an unfunded mandate made legal by its overwhelming legislative support. It also made it a crime not to follow this legislation.
Posted by Joe Queirolo,
a resident of San Ramon
on Sep 2, 2009 at 7:06 am
on Sep 2, 2009 at 7:06 am
Dave from San Ramon,
Thanks for the information about AB32 and SB375. Apparently the City's response to those bills is to attach a "climate change element" to the General Plan 2030. But acting in fear of being in criminal violation of the law is not exactly what I would call exercising leadership.
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