III.    The Climate Change Resolution.

The last year witnessed the passage of the Carbon Coalition’s Resolution in 157 towns (a few towns still have to vote).  This resolution can be read as a powerful litmus test on the importance of these matters.  While the press time and impact on the political level may peak during the presidential primary.  At least 157 town meetings have asked their governing bodies to establish an “energy committee…to save energy and reduce emissions.”   This request represents a wide range of possible opportunities for planners in terms of support, projects, and involvement in climate change and energy efficiency.

The cities of Keene, Nashua, Manchester, Dover and Portsmouth and the towns of Hanover and Epping have already started confronting these issues in their own way.  Here are the major agreements and partnerships that are offering support in New Hampshire and forming the base for municipal action.  To see what each group offers, visit their website (the link is the title).

Carbon Coalition - The Carbon Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of citizens, scientists, businesses, students, communities and organizations who've come together to advocate for a national energy policy that protects our communities and environment from the ravages of global warming caused by carbon pollution.

Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) is the region's leading organization dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global warming:

CA-CP has close ties to New Hampshire and is the leader in supporting these efforts.  The resources on their website are extensive and are used throughout this handbook. 

ICLEI – “Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.”  ICLEI has a regional center and a wide range of resources.  Becoming a member of ICLEI is more involved than a resolution and the process can be accessed through this <link>.

Sierra Club: Cool Cities – This is the Sierra Club’s effort in the commitment scheme and applies to municipalities that have made a commitment to stopping global warming by signing the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement. The Cool Cities campaign helps cities turn their commitments into action by pushing for smart energy solutions.  Although it is not clear whether this program can be expanded to municipalities without Mayors, it seems that such a campaign can and should be joined and recognized for those communities that do not have mayors.