King County Councilmembers Dow Constantine and Bob Ferguson have introduced legislation making aggressive, specific commitments to reduce King County’s greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that King County is prepared for impacts of climate change.

The legislation builds upon the leadership of County Executive Ron Sims, who has received national recognition for integrating measures to address climate change into regular county operations. The proposal calls for increasing the use of biodiesel fuel in county buses to 20 percent, and sets specific targets for use of renewable energy sources. It commits King County to the creation of a Climate Change Mitigation and Preparedness Plan and related performance measures, with annual reporting requirements. It calls for the county to encourage transit use, to facilitate the creation of walkable communities through its land use policies, and to update flood hazard and emergency plans to deal with climate change impacts.

“Two decades ago, climate change seemed like an obscure scientific concept,” said Constantine. “Today, its impacts are right in front of us – look no further than the record-breaking summer heat, last winter’s heavy rains and news stories about retreating glaciers and displaced wildlife.”

“Our environment is becoming dangerously off-balance.” said Ferguson. “Local governments – like King County – must lead by example and change the way we do business to reduce emissions.”

The legislation further calls for King County to collaborate with other counties to create a model resolution for climate change and a climate change “tool kit,” including specific actions to address the effects of global warming that can be applied by other county governments. It calls for King County to work with state and national county government organizations to initiate a “Counties Climate Change Initiative.” This initiative would complement a national effort, spearheaded by the city of Seattle, to encourage cities to endorse a Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.

Ferguson and Constantine are also co-sponsors with Council Chair Larry Phillips of an ordinance adopted by the Council July 24 to authorize King County’s membership in the Chicago Climate Exchange. In joining the Exchange, King County makes a binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from county operations by 6 percent by 2010. If the County beats this emissions target, it will earn carbon credits that can be cashed out; if it falls short of the targets, it will need to purchase credits.

“In effect, we are telling the world that you can take our climate change commitment to the bank,” said Constantine.