Berkeley Council puts global warming measure on ballot

By Jeff Shuttleworth, Bay City News Service

July 19, 2006

BERKELEY (BCN) - The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday night to place a measure on the November ballot that asks voters to set an 80 percent greenhouse gas reduction target and direct the mayor to work with the community to develop a plan to meet that goal.

In a statement, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said, "The science is absolutely crystal clear on this issue. We have about a decade to begin making major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or we face the prospect of a climate catastrophe."

Bates said, "It is time for the politicians and the people to catch up to the scientists and make the necessary changes in policies and behaviors. None of this will be easy, but I firmly believe Berkeley can lead the way."

Berkeley officials said they believe their city is the first in the country to place a global warming issue before their voters.

Berkeley officials say the city has been a national leader on the issue of global warming.

Last year, the city documented a 14 percent reduction in municipal greenhouse gas emissions and was named the third most sustainable city in the country.

In addition, Bates spearheaded the recent creation of a countywide greenhouse gas emissions initiative. That effort got under way last month.

The ballot measure asks, "Should the people of the city of Berkeley have a goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and advise the mayor to work with the community to develop a plan for council adoption in 2007, which sets a 10-year emissions reduction target and identified action by the city and residents to achieve both the 10-year target and the ultimate goal of an 80 percent emissions reduction?"

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