Highland Park Supports the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

On February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Treaty, the international agreement to address climate disruption, was adopted by 141 countries throughout the world. For countries with advanced economies, the treaty sets legal and binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gases on average of 5.2% below 1990 levels. The United States, a country responsible for emitting 25% of all global greenhouse gasses with less than 5% of the world's population, choose not to ratify the treaty.

In March 2005, the US Conference of Mayors asked its members to join the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement by signing a resolution in support of efforts to meet or exceed the Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution. Mayor Belsky signed the resolution on April 25, 2005.

The resolution provides a sampling of appropriate initiatives for supporting communities. Highland Park residents have proven to be environmentally conscious for many years, well before global warming was the issue it is today. Noteworthy civic and municipal actions include:

• Preserving open space
  • Woodlands preserved at Highland Park Country Club
  • Open space purchased and preserved near Skokie Valley Road and Half Day Road through City cooperation with other governmental agencies
  • Purchased and developed Gateway Park
• Transportation Options
  • Converted a portion of City fleet to vehicles and equipment that utilize alternative fuels
  • Developed the Greenways program
  • Green Bay Trail integrated into the Rails-to-Trails system
• Partner for Clean Air
  • Participated in Ozone Action Days by publicizing dates and limiting fueling of City vehicles
  • City Council Passage of the Clean Air Counts Resolution
  • Recognition as a "Green Fleet" Community
  • Banned usage of gasoline-powered leaf blowers between May 15 and October 1
• Recycling
  • Provided option for volume-based refuse collection to further encourage residential recycling
  • Hosting of electronic collection events
• Tree Preservation
  • Enacted the Tree Preservation Ordinance
  • Replacement of all trees removed from city property
  • Participation in the Tree City USA program
  • Celebration of Arbor Day
• Landscaping
  • Conversion of roadway concrete islands to grass and planters
  • Conversion of detention basins to rain gardens and prairie
• Environmental Commission
  • Consideration of an anti-idling ordinance for vehicles
  • Development of a brochure supporting Green Building technology
  • Development of an Environmental Policy checklist for the City
• Schools
  • Highland Park High School- student representation on the Environmental Commission, paper towel conservation program, biodiesel lab
  • Environmental Education Program- grade schools, gifted children