Proponents promote action on climate, sustainability
Posted on Sunday, November 4, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/58918/
Matthew Petty outlined three global warming priorities on Saturday as part of the National Day of Climate Action.
“ Hundreds of thousands of Americans are gathering across the country today to do this same thing, ” Petty said. “ We’ve reached a turning point of humanity. Climate change is real. If we come together and take action, we can do it. ”
Founder of the Northwest Arkansas Sustainability Center, Petty said the event Saturday — dubbed “ Step it Up” — was designed to motivate local residents to take responsibility for their actions. Petty spoke to area residents from a solar-powered public announcement system outside the Fayetteville Town Center on Saturday. During the rally, he outlined three top priorities: no new coal plants, an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 and the creation of 5 million new “ green” jobs.
“ Leading scientists have said that if we do not reduce our emissions 80 percent by 2050 and 30 percent by 2020 that the condition on Earth will reach a tipping point that causes widespread catastrophe, ” Petty said.
The Northwest Arkansas Sustainability Center is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities and regions in their transitions to sustainability.
In addition to various exhibits on the knowledge and initiative for communities to transition to a sustainable area, regional businesses and civic groups were on-hand to educate the public about sustainability. Basic information on how to handle population growth, energy, water supply and transportation needs was also available.
Rebekah Kennedy, Green Party candidate for the U. S. Senate, identified scientific research as one of the key components to making an impact on climate change.
“ If I’m elected to the U. S. Senate, climate change will be my top priority, ” she said. “ The struggle is not a physical war. It’s a challenge of science and perception. ”
Walt Eilers, who plans to run for Fayetteville mayor, said the Fayetteville community has begun setting a trend for the rest of the country to follow. He commended the city’s recycling program but added that people can still do more.
“ We need to look at other ways renters, people living in apartments and businesses can do better, ” he said. “ It’s something the City Council can’t do alone. I believe Fayetteville can lead the country in the right direction. ”
Bill Ball, chairman of the Arkansas Renewable Resource Association, said residents need to begin looking at long-term solutions.
“ Everything we’ve done is short-sighted, ” he said. “ I’m demanding for my representatives to do something. I encourage you all to learn everything you can about renewable energy because we’re here and we’re in your face. ”
Petty said planning strategies for Northwest Arkansas should be inclusive. Area residents, he said, should promote action on all levels and in all sectors including the government, media, big business, civic groups, the financial community, youth, teachers, higher education, professional organizations and citizens.
“ Even though we know there’s a problem, I don’t think many people know where to start on fixing it, ” he said. “ The only thing we’re lacking is leadership. We came here today, to motivate our friends, neighbors and family members to take leadership and to ‘ Step it Up. ’ ”
Petty, who has made several presentations on sustainable strategies to groups in Northwest Arkansas, has developed a framework for regional success in Northwest Arkansas’ transition in to sustainability.
“ We can’t be cynical about the problem any longer, ” he said. “ You need to educate yourself. This isn’t a call to action; it’s a call to accountability. ”
For more information, contact Petty at www. nwasc. org.