Your View: It will take community effort to make Mankato 'green'

May 18, 2008 01:20 am

— The Mankato City Council in a unanimous vote has moved to reduce the city’s carbon footprint by adopting the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Mankato now joins 35 cities in Minnesota and more that 800 cities across the nation that have signed onto this historic agreement. It is generally agreed that the world must significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the next ten years or face the risk of catastrophic climate change. This forward-moving vote sets the stage for the city to do its part in the global effort to combat climate change by reducing energy consumption and developing alternative and renewable energy sources
It will take more than just the efforts of city hall for Mankato to become a “green” and sustainable city. It takes a community of residents, neighbors, workers, employers, churches, schools and civic groups all working together, each doing their part in reducing their carbon footprint.
Reducing energy use and our carbon footprint through smart planning is not only the right thing to do, but in the long run it’s also the economically smart thing to do. That’s why we as a group of environmentally concerned citizens congratulate the city of Mankato in taking this important action and why we will be taking an active role in supporting these critical and timely initiatives.