ing is already happening organically. In the absence of effective national and international legislation to curb greenhouse gases, a growing number of city leaders are acting to protect their citizens and economies.” She reported that even in the absence of federally mandated emis- sions targets, 30 U.S. states have passed their own climate plans and more than 900 mayors signed a climate protection agreement essentially agreeing to reach the Kyoto Protocol goals the federal government refused to sanction. Rio+20 built upon such bottom-up commitments and pushed states and businesses to go further than they’d ever imagined. “There was an incred- ible amount of energized activity,” concludes Scherr. “Many people came away feeling empowered and encour- aged, because they saw that the sustain- ability movement is truly worldwide. That’s going to be the legacy of Rio.”


Brita Belli, the editor of E-The Environ- mental Magazine, reports for Natural Awakenings.


COMPELLING INTERNATIONAL ECO-INITIATIVES


Aruba is working with Sir Richard Branson’s Carbon War Room pro- gram to transition to 100 percent renewable energy.


Australia will spend $33 million to establish the world’s largest network of marine reserves.


Germany has committed to draw- ing 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050.


India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency signed an agreement with the Eu- ropean Union to reduce its carbon emissions by 77,000 tons in the next 3.5 years.


Norway has pledged $140 million to boost sustainable energy in rural Kenya, including replacing kerosene lamps with solar alternatives.


Source: CloudOfCommitments.org natural awakenings October 2012 35


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