Mayor Rybak Applauds New Climate Change Report
Cities Across the U.S. Continue to Lead on Climate Protection Efforts
Feb. 2, 2007 (MINNEAPOLIS) -- Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak applauded the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today that underscores the serious nature of the threat of global climate change, as well as the imperative for immediate action. The report provides some of the most powerful scientific evidence to date on the extent of human-caused global warming.
“As the science behind global warming becomes increasingly clear, the need for practical solutions is more important than ever,” Mayor Rybak said. “No matter how dire the predictions, we know how to solve the problem and that’s why cities like Minneapolis are leading the way on efforts to reduce our energy use and expand our use of alternative energy.”
The IPCC report was the fourth since 1990 by the group. But for the first time the group asserted with near certainty — more than 90 percent confidence — that carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases from human activities were the main drivers of warming since 1950. In its last report, in 2001, the panel, consisting of hundreds of scientists and reviewers, put the confidence level at between 66 and 90 percent. Both reports are available online at www.ipcc.ch.
Minneapolis and other cities across the U.S. have pioneered sensible climate protection solutions. More than 350 U.S. mayors representing 56 million Americans have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement committing their cities to meeting the Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mayor Rybak also joined more than 100 mayors from across the U.S. in Washington, DC last week to launch an unprecedented campaign urging the new Congress to pass significant climate protection legislation and restore America’s leadership in the battle against global warming.
“With less than 5% of the world’s population, the United States produces more than 25% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and those emissions are growing,” Mayor Rybak said. “As our federal leaders failed to address this climate crisis, the courage and leadership to reduce energy use and increase the use of renewable energy should and is emanating from local government.”
Mayor Rybak, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and the Center for Energy and Environment last fall also launched an Energy Challenge to mobilize citizens to reduce their energy use with web-based tools and workshops. The City also launched an effort to encourage residents to switch light bulbs in their home to an energy efficient light bulb, saving money and electricity. Information about the Energy Challenge is available at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/energychallenge/.
The IPCC is an international body of more than 2,000 scientists from 154 countries, charged in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program with assessing the risk of human-induced climate change. Information is available at www.ipcc.ch.
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