Letter: Iowa City is leader in helping to save planet

As I write this, it is Earth Day 2016, a day on which more than 174 countries have signed the United Nations agreement on climate change negotiated in Paris last fall, and thus it is an appropriate time to thank Iowa City Mayor Jim Throgmorton for signing the Compact of Mayors, an agreement that exists to further the work of the Paris climate conference at the local level.

Signers of the Compact of Mayors pledge to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare for the impacts of climate change in the future. By signing this compact, Mayor Throgmorton is demonstrating his commitment to a global solution to climate change; he is helping to move Des Moines and the state of Iowa toward choices that can effectively address and begin to mitigate the potentially disastrous effects of climate change, effects we are beginning to see, even in Iowa. The compact also will collect large-scale data on the impact that cities can have in creating 'collaborative and sustainable climate action.” (See www.compactofmayors.org).

Mayor Throgmorton is one of three mayors in Iowa (and over 400 from the United States and around the world) who have signed the compact. As a result, Iowa City is becoming a leader in helping to save our state and our planet, thanks in large part to the committed work of Mayor Throgmorton.

Caryl Lyons

Iowa United Nations Association board member

North Liberty