The impact of human actions on the global climate is now past debate.

New evidence of a warming climate emerges with regularity, and the
effects of these changes are potentially catastrophic. Other sections of this agenda, such as encouraging smart-growth policies and improving mass transit, will have a positive impact on controlling climate change. However,municipalities can directly act to control climate change by improving energy efficiency both in buildings and vehicles.

Americans consume enormous amounts of energy, with consumption projected to increase in the future at an unsustainable rate. Reducing energy use will control greenhouse gases and greatly improve our environment.

Local governments can take the leadership in reducing energy usage by encouraging conservation both within their own facilities and in private homes and businesses.

NYLCVEF encourages local governments to:

• Adopt green building standards for new construction projects.
• Conduct energy audits of municipal facilities and measure the carbon
• footprint of all municipal activities.
• Convert municipal vehicle fleets to hybrid vehicles.
• Plant street trees and support other "green streets" initiatives.
• Commit to purchasing energy from renewable sources.
• Set clear goals for energy reductions.
• Purchase Energy Star-rated equipment.
• Create incentives for the construction of energy-efficient private homes and commercial properties.
• Create building codes that support residential wind turbine and solar panel installation.
• Bring Long Island policymakers together to develop an energy master plan for the island that will establish goals for energy efficiency, identify new generation potential and plan for the region's energy future.
• Development of a new offshore wind farm proposal by LIPA and Con Ed.
• Require all new heated pools to be heated using solar power

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