Facts taken from the U.S. Mayors Agreement on Climate Protection

Did you know … The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international community’s most respected assemblage of scientists, has found that climate disruption is a reality and that human activities are largely responsible for increasing concentrations of global warming pollution.

Did you know … Recent, well-documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea level increase of four to eight inches during the 20th century, with a 40% decline in the Artic sea-ice thickness.

Did you know … Nine of the 10 hottest years on record occurred in the past decade.

Did you know … The magnitude of climate disruption predicted by the scientific community will cause: an increased risk of floods or droughts, sea-level to rises that interact with coastal storms to erode beaches, inundate land and damage structures; more frequent and extreme heat waves; and more frequent and greater concentrations of smog.

Did you know … On February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address climate disruption, went into effect in the 141 countries that have ratified it to date; 38 of those countries are now legally required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on average 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2012.

Did you know … That although the United States houses less than five percent of the world’s population, it is responsible for producing approximately 25% of the world’s global warming pollutants.

Did you know … The Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S. would have been seven percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

Did you know … To demonstrate corporate social responsibility, many leading U.S. companies have adopted greenhouse gas reduction programs and publicly expressed preference for the U.S. to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets and timetables.

Did you know … State and local governments throughout the U.S. are adopting emission reduction targets and programs.

Did you know … Many cities and counties throughout the nation are reducing global warming pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through energy conservation and new energy technologies.