SOUTHEAST MISSOURI CLIMATE PROTECTION INITIATIVE Facilitators:
	Kathy Conway (573) 651 - 2445 kconway@semo.edu	Alan Journet (573) 651 - 2366 ajournet@semo.edu
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION SIGNING - March 19th 2007

Alan Journet's Remarks

Mayor Knudtson, Members of the City Council, and Supporters:

            On behalf of the many residents of the region who are concerned about the impact of climate change, I first would like to thank Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson for recognizing the efforts of the Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative through signing this proclamation.

This is a particularly appropriate time for a grassroots movement such as this to join the many others across the nation in starting to address the problem of climate disruption on a local level.

As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states - not only is there an unequivocal scientific consensus that global warming is occurring, but there is also a consensus that there exists a greater than 90% probability that human activity through the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide is contributing to climate disruption.

That we need to address climate change has been recognized by individuals and organizations from across the spectrum.  Former President Clinton acknowledged the need as he endorsed the Kyoto Protocol while former Vice-President Gore demonstrated his concern through his book and Academy Award Winning movie “An Inconvenient Truth.”

Meanwhile, John McCain has long been an advocate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and President George W. Bush, in his 2007 State of the Union address, specifically recognized the importance of confronting the threat of climate change.  Additionally, from such groups as the Republicans for Environmental Protection, the League of Women Voters, and the Evangelical Christians concerned about caring for Creation, there is acknowledgement that we need to act.

             The Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative has joined a broad and non-partisan national grassroots movement.  We invite all area residents who seek ways to address this critical global problem to join us as we try to provide regional guidance on what we can do locally.

             Anyone seeking information about us can find it by searching SEMOCPI which is located at: http://cstl.semo.edu/SEMOCPI

             Thank you once again, Mayor Knudtson, for your support. We look forward to working with the City, the Council, local Representatives, and area residents as we address the issue of global climate change.  

Photo Courtesy Michelle Hahn
Photo: Alan Journet

IF NOT US, WHO?                       
                                 IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

When future generations ask: will we be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

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