Several commentators have recently expressed profound pessimism about the possibility of addressing the challenges posed by catastrophic climate change. Some have argued that current technology is insufficient to address the problem, and that we can only hope for an as-yet unknown technological panacea to effectively combat global warming.
Our experience in Salt Lake City shows that individuals, businesses, and governments on every level can employ measures available with current technology to address the serious challenges of global warming. On the eve of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, I committed Salt Lake City to reduce global warming pollution from municipal operations by seven percent by 2012, in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol. Last year, we surpassed our Kyoto goal, seven years early. Salt Lake City’s efforts in improving efficiency and sustainability can be easily undertaken by other municipal, state, and federal governments, and lead to significant cost savings.
We know that Kyoto is only a modest beginning, and that we must make even greater changes to our patterns of consumption in order to fully address the challenges posed by disastrous climate change. However, we presently have the means at our disposal to make a real positive difference. If all communities, businesses, and individuals work collaboratively to significantly reduce our energy use, we can meet the challenges of global warming, energy dependence, destabilizing fuel price fluctuations, poor air quality, and declining public health.
An op-ed I authored on how climate change can be effectively addressed at the local level, using current technology, appeared in the Arizona Daily Star and other newspapers through the McClatchy-Tribune Wire. The op-ed is available here: http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/138594. The Arizona Star also published an accompanying editorial enumerating effective solutions on the local level to the problem of disastrous climate change, available here: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/138597.
#1 by Lynette - July 20th, 2006 at 22:43
Rocky,
Just tune out all the mean spirited idiots who grasp for reasons to haunt (Davis county zeros)
Thank you for taking a stand and making a difference in Salt Lake City on air quality and global warming. Especially on days like this week, we appreciate your singular efforts. I can only wonder what your weak-kneed detractors are thinking as they gasp for air.
You do make a difference. Most of us appreciate it, and the rest benefit anyway.
Never stop!
#2 by jr - July 21st, 2006 at 02:32
Great analysis
#3 by Saul - July 21st, 2006 at 12:32
Rocky,
All of your flash-in-the-pan causes you do simply for the accolades. Anyone in government knows there are hundreds of awards to be sought after - for the right price. You have sacrificed your charge to watch over this great city to seek after your own limelight - to the detriment of us residents. I hope you find a cushy post somewhere that forces you to resign as Mayor. As a lifelong resident, I am apalled at your willingness to ignore basic city services for your own selfish elitism. You give very little attention (if any) to issues such as a dillapidating infrastructure, a fleeing population to the suburbs, and a lack of affordable housing. You ignore citizen input with empty promises, you leave out the business community who drives the city’s economic vitality, and you shun those who may not share your views. Is it any wonder that you are not able to maintain any normal human relationships? I pity your lonely existence, it must be depressing to be left out of any real opportunities for change in this great community.
#4 by JTH - July 21st, 2006 at 13:34
Rocky,
Ignore comments from Saul and his comments. Your ability to see the big picture of a better community for ALL Salt Lake City residents is deeply appreciated. Looking past “immediately gratiifying sure to get you re-elected” concepts is a skill more of our elected officials could use. As for his comments on your ability to maintain any normal human relationships - I’ll share a beer or drink with you anytime.
Keep up the good work.
Do us a big favor - RUN AGAIN!
#5 by Lynette - July 22nd, 2006 at 10:29
Saul seems not have his facts down. People are not fleeing the city for the suburbs, quite the opposite. As with most armchair-critics Saul provides no supporting facts.
Low-cost housing is a function of the RDA which Rocky supports against a tide of developers and some downtown businesses. The mayor has also steadfastly protected downtown SRO’s and the new Sunrise homeless housing development.
Saul may have heard that Rocky “ignores basic city services” perhaps from someone who also provided no facts, thus placing himself squarely in the category of fact-starved blow-hard.
“Dillapidating infrastructure”? Where? What? Evidence?
The digs about Rocky’s personal relationships is likely a projection as we know our human nature tends to work that way.
Saul, if you have any questions or evidence support any of your accusations, please post them here, so that we may adjust our understanding of Rocky appropriatly. I sure would hate to vote for him a third time without all the facts.
#6 by Saul’s Conscience - July 22nd, 2006 at 10:37
I challenge Saul to identify one other politician who has done anything whatsoever to improve the air quality in this valley.
Thank you Rocky for your relentless push to implement policies and pratices that make a difference and increase awareness.
Thank you also for speaking out about the Bush adminsitration policies that hurt our city and it’s citizens. I wish more mayors and local politicians would speak out.
#7 by OneNephi - July 22nd, 2006 at 11:20
I agree with Saul’s Conscience. Saul is apparently suffering from “what about me” syndrome. My guess is that Saul is disgusted with his own inability to accomplish anything other than guzzling budweiser and mentally undressing women.
Folks like Saul will ultimately crawl back into their holes in the foohills of Davis County, hopefully never to be heard from again.
#8 by Davis County Zero? - July 22nd, 2006 at 19:04
No wonder so-called progressives and Rocky can’t get along. Rocky and his minions bash Davis County; Davis County and jerks like Dannie McConkie bash Rocky.
Lynette, you’re part of the problem.
#9 by Lynette - July 22nd, 2006 at 21:07
If you can possibly explain to me how I am responsible for McConkie the comments or show we one negative comment from Rocky or an SLC progressive directed toward Davis County, I’d love to see it.
It’s no secret Davis County is about as right-wing and conservative as it gets, and it’s fairly obvious many can’t stand the fact the SLC has twice elected one of the most progressive mayors in the country, and they can’t stand it.
Lets be honest Rocky bashing is a sport in Davis County, and it’s really tired.
It was your County commissioner that started attacking Rocky mercilessly and in the name of Davis County residents. I did not, and still have not heard anyone from Davis County suggest maybe Rocky did have a point. Maybe they should have followed federal law and done a proper environmental impact statement for Legacy highway, that maybe somebody should be sued to recover the nearly $400k of taxpayer money, that was pissed down the drain by starting the project prematurely and illegally.
Just once I’d like one of the so called leaders in Davis County suggest commuter rail might provide a better solution than tearing into wetlands and migratory habitat that impacts the entire Northern Hemisphere’s bird population.
Christ, Utah county is gonna have commuter rail before Davis County. Heck, it’ll probably have to be federally mandated before you guys would do anything as progressive as modern mass transit.
If Davis County elects Rob Miller and Beth Holbrook, I will purchase a billboard on I-15 with a great big appology.
I didn’t mean to suggest all Davis County residents are zeros, just the one’s that are responsible for electing McKonkie.
#10 by Joe Six Pack [Former] Repug - July 23rd, 2006 at 13:06
Nah, I think they’re all zeros. Extremist right-wing nutcakes, too.
#11 by Jeanette Phillips - April 18th, 2008 at 23:04
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