May 7, 2001 News Release Local governments to tackle 'climate change' issues at symposium King County Executive Ron Sims will join a panel discussion addressing the actions local governments can take to reduce global warming at a climate change symposium May 10 at Seattle Center. The symposium - "Climate Change and the Pacific Northwest: What Can and Should Local Governments Do?" - is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seattle Center's Alki Room. The half-day symposium is designed especially for elected officials to learn more about what climate change means for the Pacific Northwest and actions local governments can take to address the phenomenon and its underlying causes. "There is overwhelming scientific evidence that climate change is a reality and that, left unchecked, it will have devastating impacts on things like water supplies, agricultural production and stream flows for salmon," said Sims. "Local governments can and should take a leadership role in getting the ball rolling to reduce the causes of climate change as well as prepare for its impacts." The science of climate change will be outlined by Dr. Richard Gammon, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington. Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, will facilitate the discussion. Panelists include Sims, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell, Olympia Pro Tem Mayor Mark Foutch, Northwest Council on Climate Change president Blair Henry, and Bill Drumhiller of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The keynote speaker is Denis Hayes, president of the Bullitt Foundation and a co-founder of Earth Day. The symposium will explore how the actions of local governments can not only reduce the causes of climate change, but help save money and energy, create jobs and improve local air quality. Actions could include improvements to transportation systems, vehicle fleets, building codes, landfills, wastewater systems and land use planning. The county is sponsoring the symposium with the City of Seattle, Puget Sound Clean Air agency and The Northwest Council on Climate Change. This program is offered for elected officials in the Pacific Northwest. Attendance is free, but please register in advance by contacting Lindsay Halm at lindsay.halm@kingcounty.gov or (206) 296-8735. Related Topics King County Earth Legacy Initiative Green Business Directory Tri-County Salmon Information Center (external link)

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