Climate action in Westport

A conversation on climate action that took place in Westport (Connecticut, U.S.A.) was one of 70 involving local governments across the U.S.A. discussing the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change.

The Westport Climate Action Conversation was organized by the Westport Green Energy Task Force and the Unitarian Church, taking place as a town meeting last October 2007.  Speaking were local officials, scientists, and academics.  Attendees learned about the activities taken by Westport and neighbouring city Fairfield to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and were encouraged to take actions to reduce energy use and to sign up for clean energy.

The State Department of Public Utilities Control invited residents to sign up for CT Clean Energy Options, a program that allows their customers to support clean energy made from approved renewable resources such as wind, small hydro and landfill gas. 

For every 100 Westport residents who sign up for clean energy, Westport was to receive a free solar panel.  As of October 2007, 250 residents had signed up for clean energy.  In May of 2007, Westport installed a solar panel system on the roof of the town’s fire headquarters. 

Westport is one of 266 local governments in the U.S.A. that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the U.S.A., please visit www.iclei.org/usa.

Source:  “Westport Climate Action Conversation”, at www.earthplace.org.