See How Mayors Are Pressing Presidential Candidates on Climate
Mayors have been playing an increasingly important role in the fight against climate change: implementing bold climate action plans that enlarge green spaces, improve access to public transportation, transition to clean energy, and facilitate green job growth. However, mayors cannot act alone, and some elements of climate change must be addressed at the federal level. Rather than waiting for a federal response, mayors are now pressuring presidential candidates to clearly state how they would take on climate change if elected.
This development in the role of mayors is especially prominent in South Florida, where 15 mayors have formed a coalition to “discuss the risks facing Florida communities due to climate change and help us chart a path forward to protect our state and the entire United States.”
The group of mayors includes democrats, independents, and republicans—representing the bipartisan nature of climate action. The mayors have targeted candidates Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush, believing that the Florida roots of these candidates will make them feel more compelled to respond.
These mayors represent a growing number of elected officials that are no longer willing to stand idly by as their cities suffer the consequences of climate change. If you would like to take a stand and learn how to influence change for your city, check out the resources and join with climate leaders at Path to Positive Communities.
South Florida mayors press Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush on climate change
By Patricia Mazzei | The Miami Herald | January 25, 2016
Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush have given little priority to climate change on the Republican presidential campaign trail, and a group of South Florida mayors have had enough.
Fifteen mayors from cities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties wrote the two Miami candidates a letter asking them to meet with local leaders to “discuss the risks facing Florida communities due to climate change and help us chart a path forward to protect our state and the entire United States.”
“As mayors representing municipalities across Florida, we call on you to acknowledge the reality and urgency of climate change and to address the upcoming crisis it presents our communities,” both letters begin. “Our cities and towns are already coping with the impacts of climate change today. We will need leadership and concrete solutions from our next president.”