Whereas, Williamstown is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives; and

Whereas, Williamstown has set a goal of reducing overall carbon emissions by 10% below 2000 levels by 2010, and

Whereas, residential energy use and transportation account for more than half of Williamstown’s total carbon emissions; and

Whereas, a recent report by McKinsey & Company has shown that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can save money, and

Whereas, reducing energy use promotes energy independence and reduces air pollution; and

Whereas, Williamstown has met its first three Cities for Climate Protection milestones by conducting an emissions inventory and forecast, setting an emissions reduction target, and developing a local climate action plan; and

Whereas, Williamstown is committed to implementing its local climate action plan;

Therefore, be it resolved that we, the citizens of Williamstown, pledge to lower household carbon emissions with a goal of 10% or greater reduction. Steps for achieving this goal include improving household energy efficiency, reducing waste and increasing household recycling, purchasing and using energy efficient vehicles and appliances, reducing driving, installing renewable energy systems, purchasing green power, and buying food and other products that are produced and sold locally.

Be it further resolved that, to help achieve and monitor progress toward our community goal, citizens are encouraged to calculate their carbon footprint and pledge carbon reductions by participating in the Williamstown COOL Challenge, a program of the Williamstown COOL Committee (www.coolwilliamstown.org or brochures available at Town Hall and Milne Public Library).

WHEREAS, scientific evidence indicates that global warming is already beginning, with the 1990’s and 1980’s the hottest and second hottest decades in recorded history; and

WHEREAS, local governments greatly influence the community’s energy usage by exercising key powers over land use, transportation, building construction, waste management and energy supply and management; and

WHEREAS, local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for the Town government, its businesses and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, sponsored by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited the Town of Lenox to become a partner in the Campaign;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Lenox commits to participate in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and as a participant in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, Lenox pledges to promote public awareness about the causes of climate change and to consider ways to reduce municipal contributions to climate change.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Town of Lenox requests assistance from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (CCP) as needed.

To see if the Town will commit to reducing its carbon footprint through programs to promote energy conservation and efficient use of resources. To this end the town will endeavor to engage the citizens of Lee in a cooperative effort to follow the guidelines provided by the U. S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. If feasible, the Town will request assistance from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in meeting those obligations.

It is clear that local action to decrease the use of energy, the generation of waste, and the production of carbon emissions is critical to the health and well-being of the citizens of Lee now and in the future. National and state action alone will not elicit citizen participation at the broad levels demanded by the climate crisis.

As fuel costs rise, it also makes economic sense to engage in as many activities as possible at both the town and individual level, to reduce our "carbon footprint". Therefore we urge the Representatives of the Town of Lee to adopt this article, and to begin to work with citizens in a cooperative effort at the local level.

The U. S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement provides specific recommendations for town-wide and individual actions. It provides practical steps to counter the notion that we are powerless to reduce global warming, and the incentive to seek further ways we can act positively.

The ICLEI organization membership cost, while substantial, would bring us a wealth of information and resources. We hope that, in the near future, the Town of Lee will be able to cooperate with other Berkshire towns and cities to obtain an ICLEI membership. This would also encourage conversation about cooperative actions we can take in the wider Berkshire County community.