The following statements are a compilation of statements made by local government leaders and prominent persons that provide a general overview of climate change-related issues from their perspective. This list of statements does not purport to be exhaustive. The information contained in the compilation is taken as is from sources external to ICLEI that are freely available on the internet, as well as quotes provided to ICLEI by Summit participants. No evaluation on the part of ICLEI has been done in terms of the information that they contain. ICLEI makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or content of such information.

"The City of Denton, Texas, has just opened the the nation's first biodiesel production facility to be powered by biogas (methane extracted from the adjoining city landfill.) Renewable energy powered by renewable energy! The City's fleetwide use of biodiesel will reduce the emission by as much as 12 tons per year."

- Mayor Euline Brock, Denton, TX


“I think the whole issue of climate change and global warming is to far greater degree a priority than I think is happening now. If you think about your and my grandchildren, I mean this is what really worries me. I don’t want them – if I’m still alive by then – to say “Why didn’t you do something about it when you could’ve done it?”

- HRH Prince Charles

Source: ABC Correspondents Report – Prince Charles speaks out on climate change, October 30, 2005


"Even if one disregards the science behind global warming, the fact of the matter is that we desperately need to reduce our exorbidant reliance on fossil fuels in order to better protect our wildlands and reduce our addiction to foreign oil."

- Mayor Martin J. Chavez, Albuquerque, NM


"I certainly commend Seattle and Mayor Nickels for taking on this issue…I'm appalled by the refusal of our federal government even to acknowledge global warming and climate disruption as a problem. We can't wait for this vacuum of leadership to fill. Since 1997, Burlington has joined cities across the country in working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the reduction goals of the Kyoto Protocol."

- Mayor Peter Clavelle, City of Burlington, VT


"The climate change issue at the local level is a key component in the sustainable urban development of our cities and metropolitan areas. This Municipal Leaders Summit is an opportunity for all of us to share our knowledge and expertise related to this issue. By taking part in this important international event, we can express together, in one voice, our concerns and also our solutions to other levels of governments and to the international community in order to improve the quality of life of our citizens."

- Mayor Joan Clos, Barcelona, Spain; President of Metropolis


"On behalf of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, I welcome you to Canada. Canadian municipalities will play an important role in supporting Canada's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to demonstrating the success of Canadian municipalities in building sustainable communities through climate action."

-Michael Coleman, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities


"This is not only an Environmental Protectin Issue, but also an Economic Development and Sustainability issue. Protecting our environment, we are protecting our resources and preserving them for future generations to come."

- Mayor Joy Cooper, Hallandale Beach, FL


"The US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and the recommended actions are items that the city currently supports and endorses. The City is a including a fleet of 50 alternative fueled vehicles, Energy Star new computer purchases . . . and the City has been proactive in the adoption of the Green spaces Ordinance which protects buffers around creeks and water bodies."

- Mayor Elizabeth G. Flores, City of Laredo, TX


"The USCM Climate Protection Agreement is of particular importance to the City of New Orleans. The International Panel on Climate Change has warned that New Orleans is the North American city most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The rise of the Earth's temperature, causing sea level increases that could add up to one foot over the next 30 years, threatens the very existence of New Orleans. I have sent letters to the LA delegation urging them to support the McCain Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act. Also the New Orleans City Council has passed a resolution urging federal action on climate change. We will continue to collaborate and support efforts on global warming."

- Mayor C. Ray Nagin, New Orleans, LA


“From the city of Buenos Aires, we share the global concern on climate change and, we consider of special importance, the initiatives implemented by local governments, taking into account that cities are the motors to generate actions to revert the problem.”

- Mayor Anibal Ibarra, Buenos Aires, Argentina


"As President of ICLEI, I urge you to attend the Fourth Municipal Leaders Summit on Climate Change. For over a decade, ICLEI has lead a growing movement of local governments that are collectively achieving meaningful greenhouse gas emission reductions and taking on the challenge of addressing the local impacts of climate change. The Summit will provide a rich and rewarding opportunity to learn the latest knowledge and best practice in climate action at the local level."

- Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, Johannesburg, South Africa; President, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability


"The reality of global climate change is urgent. The stakes are high - locally and globally - and we need to act. As a City government, we've already cut our greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% compared to 1990 levels. But it's not enough - we need to work together as a community to set responsible limits on global warming pollution."

- Mayor Greg Nickels, Seattle, WA


"The Fourth Municipal Leaders Summit on Climate Change will provide the opportunity to share our experiences but also to demonstrate the will of local governments to be considered equal partners in addressing this global problem. We expect you in large numbers in Montréal for this important meeting. Should you not be able to come, please ensure that your deputy will participate."

- Konrad Otto-Zimmerman, ICLEI Secretary General


"Canadian municipalities have a critical role to play in meeting Canada's climate change commitments. Potentially, they influence over 50 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Canada and despite a lack of financial, human and technical resources, many are showing leadership in reducing emissions through such actions as integrated land-use plans that support public transit, distributed energy, and sustainable municipal infrastructure systems. Canada's cities and communities are taking action to prepare for and mitigate the future impacts of climate change."

- Councillor Gord Steeves, Vice-President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities


“The challenge (he says) is to put the world back together again, to think holistically, in geological times, not corporate time or political time. Noone has the right to say what cannot be done.”

- David Suzuki, President, Suzuki Foundation

Source: ‘Environmental Conscience’ Urges Canadians to Tread Softly’, New York Times, October 18, 2005


“It is with pleasure that UNEP accepts your offer to coordinate the realization of this important event. As we know, most of the potential serious cuts in greenhouse gas emissions lie at the heart of cities.”

-Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)


"For Montréal, as for all other cities and communities in the world, climate change is not merely a concept understood by a select few, but a reality that impacts our daily lives and threatens our well-being and that of future generations. As municipal leaders, we should actively seek out the means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and take a sustainable development approach to manage our cities. It is with great urgency that we invite you to Montréal to participate in the Fourth Municipal Leaders Summit on Climate Change from 5 to 7 December."

- Mayor Gérald Tremblay, Montréal, Canada


“I am glad that ICLEI is continuing its active participation in the climate change process in addition to its support to local governments and municipalities… these activities are already making important contributions to global greenhouse gas emission reductions and sensitizing communities to the global challenge of climate change.”

- Joke Waller-Hunter †, Executive Secretary, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Joke Waller-Hunter passed away on 14 October 2005


“For the Inuit, climate change is a matter of Inuit livelihood, food, health, and individual and cultural survival. Our ancient hunting culture, which is disproportionately on the receiving end of industrialization, is so threatened by human activities that we are now working to influence others so that they understand that climate change is not simply an environmental issue; a human-induced phenomenon with very real human impacts, climate change violates our human rights. Our way of life is based on the cold, with lots of ice and snow; we are, in essence, defending our right to be cold.”

- Sheila Watt-Cloutier

Source: Point of View, Orion, July/August 2005

The following interviews are a compilation providing a general overview of climate change-related issues that does not purport to be exhaustive. Some of the information contained in the compilation is taken as is from sources external to ICLEI that are freely available on the internet, as well as quotes provided by Summit participants. No evaluation on the part of ICLEI has been done in terms of the information that they contain. ICLEI makes no warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or content of such information.

InWEnt Report on Municipal Leaders Summit: Campaign against climate change goes down to municipality level, 12 December 2005
[PDF 70 KB]

Remarks by President William J. Clinton
Side Event hosted by the City of Montreal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP11/ COP/MOP1)

'Think Globally, Act Santa Monically', LA Weekly - Los Angeles, CA, USA
www.laweekly.com/ink/06/01/quark-wertheim.php

Dr. David Suzuki, President, Suzuki Foundation
‘Environmental Conscience’ Urges Canadians to Tread Softly’ by Cornelia Dean, New York Times, October 18, 2005

Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chairperson, Inuit Circumpolar Conference
‘Canadian Inuit Activist Slams US on Climate Change’, Agence France-Press, June 15, 2005
www.mindfully.org/Air/2005/Watt-Cloutier-Inuit15jun05.htm

‘The Right to be Cold’, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Orion Magazine, July/August, 2005
www.oriononline.org/pages/om/05-4om/Watt-Cloutier.html

HRH Prince Charles
Correspondents Report – Prince Charles Speaks Out on Climate Change, ABC Online, October 30, 2005
www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2005/s1493652.htm

UNFCCC Press Headlines
www.unfccc.int/press/news_room/items/278txt.php