The mayors have a point. Among the topics presidential candidates
aren't spending much breath on: climate change.
On Friday, 108 South Carolina mayors released an open letter
to candidates from both parties. Click
here to see the ad in pdf format.
"While we recognize that there are many important issues
before us, one requires immediate attention," the letter
says. "The threat of global warming."
So when you come here on your campaigns, it essentially
notes, we'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter. We'd
like to hear what you would do about it if you were elected
president of the United States.
"As South Carolina mayors, it is our duty to add our voice
to the growing chorus of scientific, business, and community
leaders who say the time to act on global climate change
is now," the letter goes on.
Mayors of large cities and small ones signed it. The mayors
of Pelzer, Pickens, Fountain Inn, Duncan, Travelers Rest,
Greer, Greenville, Easley, Williamston, Wellford, Mauldin,
Clemson and Spartanburg signed it.
So did the mayors of Gaffney, Clinton, York, Rock Hill,
Union, Greenwood, Lockhart, Newberry, Laurens, Abbeville,
Due West and Ninety Six.
Also the mayors of Charleston, Columbia, Isle of Palms,
Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, McCormick, Landrum and
Summerville.
And 65 others. Next time you see one of those mayors, shake
his or her hand and say thank you.
An organization called The Heat Is On (www.heatison.org)
has gleaned positions the candidates have taken on various
aspects of the issue (such as fuel efficiency and carbon
emissions, for instance) from their Web sites, public statements
or by their votes. You can find a chart of these on the group's
Web site.
As an example, the chart notes that John McCain was lead
author of a bill to reduce emissions by 65 percent by the
year 2050. Hillary Clinton and John Edwards both support
an 80 percent reduction by then. Rudy Giuliani, according
to the chart, has "no articulated position."
Efforts to counteract global warming haven't come out of
Washington. They've come instead from cities and towns and
ordinary people and businesses and the states.
Union's mayor, Bruce Morgan, said next time presidential
candidates come to the state we must ask them, what is their
plan?
