Hello and welcome to Leon County’s “Conversation on Climate Action.” Tonight, we are going to discuss global warming, what the County is doing, and what you can do at home to contribute to the solution.

Today, we are joining thousands of other Americans who are discussing the science, challenges, and possible solutions of global warming. This national dialogue is made possible by Leon County’s membership on the International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives. I have been designated by my county commission colleagues to serve as the Leon County’s liaison to ICLEI.

ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability, is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 630 cities, towns, counties, and their associations worldwide comprise ICLEI's growing membership. ICLEI works with these and hundreds of other local governments through international performance-based, results-oriented campaigns and programs. In the absence of effective national strategies to address global warming, it falls to families, neighborhoods, churches, businesses, civic groups and local governments to act decisively.

There are steps local governments can take now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving taxpayer money. ICLEI provides a critical roadmap for how we can respond to the global warming crisis, together, and make a real difference. Now, I’ve heard some criticism that tonight’s conversation is merely a “feel good” event. In part that’s true, because here in Leon County we’ve got a lot to feel good about, and I, for one, want to talk about it. But we’ve still got a long way to go, and more work to be done. That is also what this conversation is about.
As you’ll see during this presentation, global warming is very real... no serious person disputes that now... and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming, have drastically increased since the Industrial Revolution, and especially in the last 40 years. With the development of various technologies, infrastructures and buildings, including those we use everyday... like vehicles, air conditioners, and buildings, our carbon footprint is growing tremendously.

We need to act now – together – to mitigate the damages humans have already imposed on our environment. This meeting is a beginning, so there will be ample time at the end of the meeting to hear from you. This effort truly needs to be a collaboration, and it begins here. While we have a long road ahead of us, this conversation, of which you are a part, is one step in the right direction.