Do you believe the City should take steps to address global climate change?

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Carrie Carroll: Yes. We have a responsibility to care for the environment and the city should be aware that the decisions made at the local level do have an impact such as curbside recycling and proper planning. Often people cite budget issues and increased cost of doing things environmentally friendly but if things are not done right currently we can face a much more costly situation in the future so the future cost and impact should be considered.

 

Richard Koon: Yes.  I know there is debate in the political community about global warming.  However, I would prefer to be on the side of caution and take steps to minimize our greenhouse gas emissions.  Conservation is the key.  We should be pursuing policies that encourage less energy use and activities that lead to fewer emissions into the atmosphere.  For example, we should encourage or reward construction of green, energy efficient buildings; encourage alternatives to decrease automobile use such as walking, bike lanes, or car pools; and encourage and promote recycling.  It takes less energy to recycle products than to

produce new ones.

Sharon Mize: The City of Jefferson can begin with making facilities operated by the city more energy efficient.  This could mean addressing electric, heating and cooling consumption and using energy efficient appliances.  Purchasing and deploying fuel efficient vehicles.  Reduce and monitor vehicle travel. Continue to study the landfill reduction pilot program that involves solid waste disposal. Increase consumer

awareness and acceptance of new technologies available to the public.

Anita Randolph: Addressing global climate change includes making a series of changes in our personal and business lives. Actually, many of the questions posed in this questionnaire relate to global climate change. When we reduce energy by recycling items or when we use public transit to reduce air pollution from automobiles, these are actions that relate to environmental protection and move us toward dealing with global climate change. City council members should take a leadership role in this effort.

 

 

 

 
Text Box: Letters Needed on HR 1590 Text Box: Candidates Responses Continued from Page Six Text Box: On February 13, several people from the chapter’s global warming committee met with the head of Representative Ike Skelton’s local office. Rick Text Box: Thom, Jim Nordstrom, Rich George and I asked Representative Skelton to co-sponsor HR 1590 which is a bill that seeks to address climate Text Box: change as explained on the Web pages of the National Wildlife Federation We encourage you to write Representative Skelton to co-sponsor the Safe Climate Act (HR 1590), introduced by Congressman Waxman.