NPR_Cities Take On Kyoto Challenge to Cut Emissions

Cities Take On Kyoto Challenge to Cut Emissions

by Kathleen Schalch

All Things Considered, July 31, 2007 · Mayors across the nation are trying to do something meaningful in their communities to address climate change. More than 600 have pledged to try to meet the target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions set by the Kyoto Protocol, even though the federal government won't make the commitment.

One city not waiting on Washington is Boulder, Colo., a sunny college town with lots of bike paths, mountain vistas and activists. Mayor Mark Ruzzin says residents are alarmed about global warming and want to take action.

"We don't need to study it for another five years. We don't need to play politics for another five years," he says.

So Boulder has created the nation's first carbon tax — a charge that's added to electric bills because the electricity comes from coal-fired power plants.

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