IN BRIEF
- Atlanta lawmakers have committed the city to running entirely on renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, by 2035.
- This makes Atlanta the 27th U.S. city to join the effort to fight against climate change at the local level.
100% RENEWABLE ENERGY
On May 1, Atlanta lawmakers approved a resolution committing the city to transitioning toward running entirely on renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, by 2035. The city council unanimously approved the measure, which will first transition all city buildings by 2025.
“We know that moving to clean energy will create good jobs, clean up our air and water, and lower our residents’ utility bills,” city council member Kwanza Hall said in a statement, according to The Huffington Post. “We never thought we’d be away from landline phones or desktop computers, but today we carry our smart phones around and they’re more powerful than anything we used to have. We have to set an ambitious goal or we’re never going to get there.”
 |
| Credit: Pixabay |
CLIMATE ACTION
Ted Terry, director of the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club, issued a statement praising the city of Atlanta’s leadership and commitment to fighting climate change.
“Just days after hundreds of thousands marched for climate action across the globe, city leaders here in Atlanta are answering the call,” Terry said in the statement. “Today’s commitment will inspire bold, ambitious leadership from cities throughout the United States and pave the way for a healthier and stronger Atlanta.”
This move from Atlanta is part of a growing recognition that cities all over the world can take a tremendous bite out of climate change, even without much support from larger government. In fact, in March, a top New York City official called on other officials from city governments across the U.S. to keep fighting climate change with or without the help of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Hopefully enough cities will follow suit to make a global impact.
Post a Comment