Feb. 14, 2008
Sims named to board of organization with national and international climate change focus
Leads local action to improve climate protection and sustainable development
King County's leadership in global warming reduction and adaptation has resulted in Executive Ron Sims being named to the board of directors of ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA.
As a board member, he'll work with other county executives, mayors, aldermen and international leaders to help develop and implement climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies for local, regional and state governments. These efforts are aimed at improving the global environment through local action.
ICLEI USA's mission is to build, serve and drive a movement of local governments to advance deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and achieve tangible improvements in local sustainability. The board will help drive the organization strategically and ensure that ICLEI's value to its local government members continues to meet and exceed expectations.
"We are honored to welcome the new members of the Board," said Michelle Wyman, ICLEI USA Executive Director. "We look forward to the expertise and passion they will bring to the organization while extending their service and leadership on climate and sustainability beyond their jurisdictions."
"I'm excited to be able to share our global warming reduction efforts here in King County with peers in other regions and to hear best practices from across the country and internationally," said Sims. "By collaborating with change agents in this field, we can help even more people in more areas take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and that's how significant change happens."
Under Executive Sims' leadership, King County has been nationally recognized for its work on climate change mitigation and adaptation. In 2007, King County joined with the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington in association with ICLEI to co-author and distribute "Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional and State Governments." The book is currently being used by hundreds of government officials worldwide.
The first in-person Board meeting is scheduled for the 2008 ICLEI Local Action Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in May. To learn more about the Summit, please visit www.icleiactionsummit.org. For more information on the Board visit: http://www.iclei.org/