Mayor Dave Cieslewicz spoke at Memorial Union Thursday to highlight concerns on global warming as part of 1,600 schools and organizations across the country for Focus the Nation.
Nino Amato, member of the national advisory board for Focus the Nation, presented critical world and national statistics emphasizing the environmental issues Focus the Nation seeks to address.
The United States, China, and Europe are the biggest polluters. However, the U.S. represents 12 percent of the population and 25 percent of Greenhouse gasses,"" Amato said. ""Focus the Nation's purpose is not just to address the problem, but the solutions.""
Introduced as ""the green mayor"" by Amato, Cieslewicz began by stating his position as mayor may be temporary, but he hopes to initiate changes in environmental legislation and practice that will last.
""I won't be mayor forever. The goal is to incorporate this kind of green thinking into everything the city does so it will not mater who is mayor. It's just the way to do things.""
Cieslewicz enumerated examples of action he has led and participated in to make Madison more energy efficient, including the 2006 switch to automated recycling, which allowed recyclables to be collected together in one bin. Since the switch, the city's recycling has increased by 35 percent.
More recently, energy efficient bulbs replaced old bulbs in virtually all the city's red and green traffic lights. He explained the yellow bulbs are not on long enough to make replacement efficient.
""It saves 20,250 tons of carbon dioxide a year, which is equal to 442 cars worth of carbon dioxide or about four Hummers,"" Cieslewicz said.
Cieslewicz said the city is working with MPowering Madison, an environmental group, to lower chemical emissions throughout the area. The group is working toward a 25 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2011 and hopes to eliminate 15,000 tons of carbon dioxide.
Judy Skog of MPowering Madison found the mayor's speech engaging and agreed changes must be made.
""If we don't take personal action, it won't get fixed. It has to happen at all levels but has to start with the individual,"" Skog said.
