TREEconomist

As I woke up this morning and walked my son to school, I took notice of the beautiful spring day. The cherry trees flowering, the cool breeze, then the ugly reality of bottles and cans littering the streets brought back focus: I remembered what day it was. Earth Day.

Appropriately, my iPod spilled out Orli Cotel of Sierra Club Radio interviewing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. The topics discussed included Mr. Newsom’s use of the precautionary principle (better safe than sorry), bottled water ban in city hall with the London mayor following suit, San Francisco’s involvement with the Million Solar Roofs initiative to achieve energy independence, alternative fuels for cabs and fleet vehicles, the plastic bag ban inspired by Irish policy. In short: San Francisco and Mayor Newsom intends to lead by example. He urges not just government action, but commercial and individual involvement to change behaviors. Additionally, Mr. Newsom urges the public to voice their concerns to local government officials rather than waiting for federal or state action. If pressure can be placed at the community level, then this will filter up and throughout the world at the grassroots level.

San Francisco has established a plan to double the emissions reductions called for by the Kyoto Protocol and has sidestepped US foreign policy because its citizenry have demanded more change. Carbon taxes and cap and trade systems are synonymous and are here to stay, according to Mayor Newsom. I believe he is right. If big changes are to be made to fight climate change, the only way to accomplish this is seemingly impossible problem is to institute these schemes and act at the community and business level.

Happy Earth Day 2008. Now I’m off to pick up the street litter in front of the house and talk to the city council representative.