Local governments meeting in South Korea

What is your town or city doing to create a better, safer environment and sustainable development - after all, they are using your tax money, aren't they? This week, a major international meeting was held in South Korea to discuss a number of issues, including global warming.

UPI Asia: Feature: World's local governments vow to combat climate change

Delegates from 136 countries, representing local governments, vowed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use renewable and clean energy sources to combat climate change, at the second World Congress of the United Cities and Local Governments. Some 2,000 mayors, councilors, and other officials of local autonomies from around the world attended the four-day Congress, in the South Korean resort island of Jeju, which concluded today.

In the world's largest meeting of local administrators, participants vowed to make concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, use renewable and clean energy sources, and invest more in technological innovations. "For if we do not act now to mitigate the consequences of global warming, the results could be devastating," was the declaration adopted, under the theme, "Changing cities are driving our world."

The unanimous consensus in general meetings was that one of the main issues facing world citiesof world's local leaders for the upcoming U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties, in December.

Founded in 2004, the Barcelona-based UCLG, is the world's biggest local government organization, representing over half the world's population. It has been called the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government. I do hope our local government leaders can talk to each other, find a common language (in spite of all the obvious language and interpretation troubles...) and send a clear, democratic message to national leaders and global players - the World is ready for change.

Do visit the UCLG website and find out what local politicians are doing.

Never, never, think that your opinion does not matter.