As an example of ICLEI influence, Leon County, Florida cooperated with ICLEI in organizing an event that informed and motivated local homeowners and businesses for taking action to mitigate climate change. It also served to raise issues that local leaders must confront in the areas of housing and transportation.
“There are a lot of people who have the same passion in their heart that I do, and that is to leave our children and grandchildren with a healthier, cleaner, safer world, and I have a feeling that a lot of you are here today for that very same reason,” Go Green Initiative founder Jill Buck told the luncheon audience of nearly 400 at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.
The Go Green Initiative, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing environmental-education program, provides teachers tools for environmental programs that produce results in recycling and conservation.
Buck said that of the 3,344 pounds of solid waste generated per county resident per year, 1,107 pounds are recycled. She praised Leon County’s efforts but encouraged residents to do more. Although there are those who don’t consider people and their habits to be the cause of climate change, Buck said she was not there to change anyone’s mind.
“Even if you don’t believe that humans are creating climate change, there are a lot of things that we can do and should be doing that are completely independent of shame, guilt or fear,” she said.
