Redefining Prosperity: A look at local government "climate prosperity" strategies
The Conversation Begins: The National Conversation on Climate Action website is live!
Capital Corner: The latest on federal climate and energy policy
Members in Action: Chattanooga's Climate Action Plan, Austin's Zero Waste, Portland's green roofs, and New York's Transportation award

A handful of local governments are creating “climate prosperity” strategies in addition to their climate action plans. With our economy on the ropes and climate protection more urgent than ever, this new paradigm couldn't have arrived at a better time. Two experts -- Dr. Marc A. Weiss and Michael Northrop -- explain how it works. Part 1 in a series.
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ICLEI has launched a new website to support local governments participating in the 2009 National Conversation on Climate Action, which will take place on Earth Day, April 22. At www.climateconversation.org you can register for the 2009 event (registration opens next week), and access event-planning tools and resources.
>> View It Now

Attention local elected officials: Join us at the Local Climate Leadership Summit: Empowering a Local-Federal Climate Action Partnership. The summit, co-hosted by ICLEI USA and Climate Communities, will take place May 18 to 20 in Washington D.C., and is expected to draw hundreds of local officials. Registration opens later this month. Stay tuned for more event details.

Yesterday's inauguration of President Obama represents a new era of hope and progress on climate action and energy policy. As visions become plans in the coming weeks, look to ICLEI Connection's new "Capital Corner" department for the latest news and analysis on federal climate and energy policy. We begin with a roundup of stories on the green stimulus urban policy plans taking shape.

What Barack Obama's Inauguration Means for Green Energy

$825 Billion Stimulus Bill Pushes Renewable Energy

What Obama's Picks Signal for Urban Policy

2009 Green Inaugural Ball Celebrates the New Green Economy

"...each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet...We will restore science to its rightful place…We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories....With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet." --President Barack Obama, Jan. 20, 2009
>> Read the Full Speech Transcript

Chattanooga, Tenn., Releases Climate Action Plan With 47 Emissions-Reduction Recommendations (download the action plan here)

Austin, Texas, Adopts 'Zero-Waste' Plan

Portland, Ore., Sets Goal for Green Roofs

New York is First U.S. City to Win International Award for Sustainable Transport

Portsmouth, N.H., Is a Leader in Green Innovation

Now is the time to nominate someone for the Daily Green's Heart of Green Awards, which recognize not only national figures, but local heroes working in local communities to benefit the environment and help their neighbors go green.
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Did you download ICLEI's latest resource, the Outreach and Communications Guide? Get it now for local government steps and strategies to reach constituents and build relationships, gain support, and more.
>> View It Now

“Chattanooga is a terrific example of how far a city can come when public officials and the community collaborate to develop a shared vision of sustainability,”
--Michelle Wyman, ICLEI USA Executive Director, on the release of Chattanooga's Climate Action Plan.

The ICLEI network welcomes the following new local governments:

• Croton on Hudson, N.Y.
• Edinburg, Texas
• Loveland, Colo.
• New Rochelle, N.Y.
• Solano County, Calif.
• Temecula, Calif.
• Venice, Fla.
• Washoe County, Nev.
• York, Maine