Stop Global Warming
"Even if one disregards the science behind global warming, the fact of the matter is that we desperately need to reduce our exorbitant reliance on fossil fuels in order to better protect our wildlands and reduce our addiction to foreign oil." - Mayor Martin J. ChávezTake Action
- Sign the Stop Global Warming petition.
- Use the EPA's Personal Greenhouse Gas Calculator.
- Reduce the number of miles you drive each week by using ABQ Ride, the Rail Runner, or your bicycle.
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Turn down your thermostat a few degrees in the winter.
- Teach your kids about global warming using the EPA's Climate Change Kids Page.
- Read Sustainable.org's Reduce Global Warming factsheet.
Mayor Chávez is committed to informing Albuquerque residents about the impacts of global warming and climate change.
In his Albuquerque Green Climate Change presentation (.ppt) , Mayor Chávez talks about how Albuquerque is working to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
When the United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol as a nation, cities and states stepped up on their own.
Albuquerque's Mayor Chávez signed the Mayors' Statement on Global Warming and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The Mayor has committed Albuquerque City government to meet or exceed the goals defined in the Kyoto Protocol.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction
When Mayor Chávez signed the Climate Protection Agreement, he agreed by 2012 to reduce Albuquerque's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 7 percent from the 1990 levels.
Alternative Energy Usage
In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we must take advantage of alternative energy sources like solar power, wind power, and biofuels. Albuquerque is taking this task to heart. In fact, City facilities already run on 20% wind power! We're also installing solar power at City swimming pools.
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Alternative Fuels
The Mayor is serious about reducing Albuquerque's dependence on petroleum-based fuels like gasoline. So serious, in fact, that he has mandated the use of biofuels, ethanol, and electricity to power City buses, other city vehicles, and even police Segways!
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Green Building
Constructing and maintaining office, government, and residential buildings requires a significant amount of energy and produces a significant amount of greenhouse gases. With this in mind, Mayor Chávez signed the 2030 Challenge, which commits the City to building only energy efficient buildings in the future.
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Urban Forestry
Trees are important to Albuquerque's landscape, but more importantly, they play a key role in reducing the greenhouse effect. That's why Mayor Chávez hired a full-time employee to shepherd the City's Urban Forestry program.
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Other City Initiatives
That's not all. Albuquerque City leaders are working hard to:
- Increase City Recycling.
- Create an alternative fuel infrastructure grant/loan program to enable private industry to build infrastructure for the retail sale of alternative fuel to the private sector.
- Enhance markets for locally grown food to reduce the amount of resources used to truck food from faraway places and encourage local economy.
- Mandate the sale of Ethanol-10 Unleaded gasoline year-round, rather than solely in the winter months.
- Create an Environmental Trust Program to fund innovative sustainability programs.