Yesterday, Renewable Cities, the Sierra Club, ICLEI USA, and the City of San Francisco Department of the Environment in the first-ever North American Dialogue on 100% Renewable Energy in Cities, a day-long convening of leaders in clean energy innovation and representatives from more than 20 cities, meant to help city leaders from across North America learn how to take steps toward 100 percent clean energy.
A transition to 100 percent clean energy saves families money by cutting down energy costs and healthcare costs. It also helps local economies grow by creating more sustainable jobs, improving overall public health and air quality, conserving water, and saving local governments money. Representatives from 20 cities including Chicago, Denver, Cincinnati, Cleveland, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Richmond, and Vancouver gathered in San Francisco today to explore these opportunities—and any barriers—of shifting to 100 percent renewable energy in one or more energy use sectors in their cities.
The dialogue was hosted by and in the city of San Francisco, which has already set a goal to reach 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and begun to require new buildings to integrate solar photovoltaic or thermal generation. Fifteen other cities in North America have adopted 100 percent renewable energy targets. Earlier this year, the Sierra Club launched its Ready for 100 campaign, which aims to enlist more cities to make a 100 percent clean energy commitment.
“What once seemed like a fantasy — achieving 100 percent renewable energy in our lifetimes — has become an objective that clearly is within reach. The world is ready for 100 percent clean, renewable energy, and cities are where it is happening first and fastest.” said Michael Brune, the Sierra Club’s executive director, who keynoted the opening dinner on Sunday night.
Lisa Jackson, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives and former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, keynoted the opening of the dialogue this morning. Jackson addressed the city representatives and spoke about Apple’s goal of covering the electricity use of their global facilities with 100 percent renewable energy.
“In just the last year, there has been a groundswell of interest among North American cities in leading the way to a future powered by 100 percent renewable energy. We are delighted to bring together for the first time cities from this continent that share this vision” said Michael Small, Executive Director of Renewable Cities, based in Vancouver.
City representatives will return to their communities with a fuller understanding of how to take the plunge and commit to 100 percent clean energy.
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About Renewable Cities
A program of the Simon Fraser University Centre for Dialogue, Renewable Cities is a global program that specializes in convening experts in the fields of urban planning, energy planning, and renewable energy. As a member of the Global 100% RE network, Renewable Cities supports local governments transitioning their communities to 100% renewables in at least one of their electricity, heating/cooling, and transportation energy use sectors. For more information, and to learn about our next Global Learning Forum visit www.renewablecities.ca.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
About ICLEI USA
ICLEI USA is a vibrant network of local governments across the United States dedicated to action and solutions around climate, local economics, energy and natural resources. ICLEI USA is engaged in the global 100% RE network, providing support to cities with a 100% RE goal or that have expressed interest in transitioning to 100% RE. http://www.iclei.org/activities/agendas/low-carbon-city/iclei-100re-cities-regions-network.html
About Ready for 100
Ready For 100 is a Sierra Club campaign challenging 100 cities in the U.S. to step up and commit to 100% Clean Energy. Sixteen cities, including major cities like San Diego, have already made such commitments. www.readyfor100.org
About SF Environment
The San Francisco Department of the Environment (SF Environment) creates visionary policies and innovative programs that promote social equity, protect human health, and lead the way toward a sustainable future. We put our mission into action by mobilizing communities and providing the resources needed to safeguard our homes, our city, and ultimately our planet.
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