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“We know today’s choices about how we grow will affect climate pollution for decades to come.  That’s why in Kirkland we’ve been working to plan for growth so that it reduces driving and creates more compact communities.”  - Mayor James L. Lauinger, Kirkland, Washington.

From Auburn to Washougal, thirty-two of Washington’s cities have signed on to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.  This agreement calls on cities to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns.  Five additional Washington cities and seven counties have joined ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, which seek to implement local solutions to global problems like climate change. 

Local jurisdictions representing nearly 70% of the state’s population have committed to major reductions in their global warming pollution. The challenge of successfully confronting global warming – reducing our future emissions and adapting to the anticipated impacts – will require a coordinated statewide effort.