MIAMI – Mayor Manny Diaz has recruited an additional 25 mayors to sign on to the U.S. Climate Protection Agreement, bringing the total number of Florida mayors pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to over 55. 

“The response to the global issue of climate change begins here locally,” said Mayor Diaz.  “I am pleased that so many of my fellow mayors have joined me in this challenge, to make Florida a leader in this effort, to bring to the next generation a sustainable future.”  

Mayor Diaz has contacted every mayor in the state asking them to pledge a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.  So far, most Florida major cities have signed on, including Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Pembroke Pines, and others.  In Dade County, the number of mayors increased from 4 to 14, including Dade County, Miami Beach,  South Miami, Miami Gardens, and Sweetwater.

With over 55 mayors, Florida now ranks among the top 3 states in number of mayors signed on to the agreement, representing nearly 19% of the state’s population.

Under the Agreement, participating cities commit to take following three actions: (1) 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; (2) Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and (3) Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emission trading system.

This effort is being undertaken through the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), the official nonpartisan organization of the nation's 1183 U.S. cities with populations of 30,000 or more, of which Mayor Diaz currently serves as Vice President.