[Mpls] A Sustainable Minneapolis

[Aaron Neumann]

As recently reported in The Guardian ("Warming hits 'tipping point'" 
8/11/05, 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1546824,00.html), 
a vast expanse of western Siberia is undergoing an unprecedented thaw 
that could dramatically increase the rate of global warming, climate 
scientists are saying. Its a frozen peat bog the size of France and 
Germany combined, contains billions of tonnes of greenhouse gas and, for 
the first time since the ice age, it is melting. As it thaws, it will 
release billions of tonnes of methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more 
potent than carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, accelerating Global 
Warming and may cause an irreversible "tipping point." But the article 
goes on to say that "There's still time to take action, but not much."

So what the heck does this have to do with Minneapolis, and the City 
Council?  The US is one of the world's worst air polluters, largely from 
our carbon emissions.  It's time that we put environmental goals into 
our Charter, beginning with reducing our carbon emissions.

I believe that we, right here in the Twin Cities, can be a leader 
nationally in reducing our carbon emissions, IMHO (In My Humble 
Opinion).  In fact, we wouldn't be the first metropolis in the U.S. to 
do so.  In 1993, Portland became the first local government in the 
United States to adopt a strategy to deal with climate change/. /Newly 
released data shows that Portland, America's environmental laboratory, 
has achieved stunning reductions in carbon emissions. The city has 
reduced emissions below the levels of 1990, the benchmark for the Kyoto 
accord, while booming economically. 

What's more, officials in Portland insist that the campaign to cut 
carbon emissions has entailed no significant economic price, and on the 
contrary has brought the city huge benefits: less tax money spent on 
energy, more convenient transportation, a greener city, and expertise in 
energy efficiency that is helping local businesses win contracts 
worldwide.  This was achieved partly by a major increase in public 
transit, including two light rail lines and a streetcar system. The city 
has also built 750 miles of bicycle paths, and the number of people 
commuting by foot or on bicycle has increased 10 percent.  You can read 
all about it at Portland's Office of Sustainable Development - 
http://www.sustainableportland.org/

I believe we can do this here in the Twin Cities, beginning with 
Minneapolis.  We can start by making it a goal to open up a Minneapolis 
Office of Sustainable Development.  We can do everything from replacing 
the bulbs in the city's traffic lights with light-emitting diodes to 
weatherizing (greening) homes to be energy efficient. 

We must support the City of Minneapolis Bikeways Master Plan, Northeast 
Quadrant (2001) 
(http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/public-works/transportation/bicycles) 
and ensure it's 2010 completion.  This also includes the key component 
(where Council leadership is crucial ) of working with Burlington 
Northern Santa Fe Railway on rerouting or sharing the limited use 
railroad bridge over the Mississippi river to create path connection to 
the Northside (I'm advocating for naming of the bridge to be "Burlington 
Northern Peace Bridge", making it artistic and peaceful.  In part 
because this is where I was jumped in April of 2004 by five "gansta 
disciples" and part because of my arts background!).

We must make these steps now and lay the groundwork for the 
post-petroleum Minneapolis economy while becoming sustainable.  This is 
what our campaign means by making "Your Vote Count For...A Sustainable 
Minneapolis."

Peace is possible!

Aaron Neumann
Sheridan
Candidate for City Council Ward 3 (Green Party)
Northside * Northeast * Southeast
612.788.1284
Aaron at VoteNeumann.org
www.VoteNeumann.org

"Bridging our Diverse Communities with Social, Economic, and 
Environmental Justice * Common Sense Vision for the 21st Century"

"Politics isn't about big money or power games; it's about the 
improvement of people's lives." /- Paul Wellstone/