The U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously passed a resolution this week requiring cities to try to meet or surpass emission standards set by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, an international global-warming treaty ratified earlier this year without the United States.
The resolution also urges federal and state governments to meet or beat the goal of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.
The municipal efforts will include reducing dependence on fossil fuels by accelerating the development of fuel-efficient automobiles, biofuels and alternative energy sources including wind and solar power.
President Bush opposes the Kyoto Protocol and questions the certainty of scientists' views that "greenhouse gases" such as carbon dioxide are causing temperatures to rise. The Bush administration contends U.S. compliance with the Kyoto Protocol would increase energy prices and cost millions of U.S. jobs.