Miami Beach September 2007 -The Miami Beach Ad Hoc Green Committee announced sweeping changes in how the City of Miami Beach will tackle the  problems of climate change. The
Committee recommended to City Manager Jorge Gonzalez to make it a matter of top priority to establish an action plan to comply with the goals of the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. Under the U.S. Conference of Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, participating cities commit to take the following three
actions:
· Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns
· Urge their federal and state governments to enact polices and programs to meet or beat greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol
· Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation
The Green Committee is already taking immediate action by unanimously approving an RFP (Request for Performance) fo r Performance Contracting. The proposal will consist of performing an internal analysis of the energy systems of city buildings in order to develop and implement long-term
conservation initiatives. The Committee also approved a motion to outreach to the marine facilities on Miami Beach and encourage their participation in the Department of Environmental Protection Clean Marina Program. The Clean Marina Program is a public/private partnership between the State of Florida and the marine industry to
work with marine facilities to adopt environmentally friendly practices beyond standard regulatory requirements .
"The Green Committee is committed to taking real and concrete steps that will lead to a protected environment, a stronger economy and a better City overall, " states Commissioner Góngora, Chair of the Green Committee.
Other topics that the committee will tackle include recycling, water conservation, urban forestry, air quality, green buildings, vehicles, beach preservation and energy conservation. The committee meetings are open to the public and the next
meeting is set for September 18, 2007 from 6- 8pm at City Hall. For more information, please contact Diana Fontani, Aide to Commissioner Michael Góngora at (305) 673-7105 or via email at
dianafontani@miamibeachfl.gov |
