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What is Being Done?

LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

Check out Arlington's Fresh AIRE Program Montgomery County is enhancing the quality of life of its community through conservation, restoration and preservation of the environment. In the District of Columbia, Mayor Fenty considers global warming a serious environmental issue, and is challenging residents and businesses to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and help build a sustainable nation’s capital. Protecting the county's natural environment and conserving appropriate open space are important goals of Fairfax County.

STATE ACTIVITIES

• In April 2007, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley established the Maryland Climate Change Commission (MCCC) charged with collectively developing an action plan to address the causes of climate change, prepare for the likely consequences and impacts of climate change to Maryland, and establish benchmarks for implementing the Commission’s recommendations.  On January 14, 2008 the Commission released its interim report.

• In December 2007, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Caine established the Governor's Commission on Climate Change. The commission will prepare a plan for Virginia that identifies ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Virginia Energy Plan, released in September 2007, set a goal for the Commonwealth to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2025. The Governor's Commission on Climate Change will identify additional steps that need to be taken to achieve the emissions reduction goal in a report scheduled to be issued by Dec.15, 2008.

NATIONAL AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS

• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) - ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign assists cities in adopting policies and implementing quantifiable measures to reduce local greenhouse gas emission, improve air quality, and enhance urban livability and sustainability.

• EPA's Climate Change Program offers comprehensive information on the issue of climate change in a way that is accessible and meaningful to all parts of society – communities, individuals, business, states and localities, governments.