Sierra Club California director speaks in Buffalo

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – The director of Sierra Club California is in Buffalo to offer some lessons learned on effecting climate change. Bill Magavern is the keynote speaker at a forum in downtown Buffalo Wednesday on climate change.

Last year, the Obama Administration announced tough new rules for automobile emissions and mileage standards. But those standards were first set, and fought for, by California in 2002. 14 other states, including New York, eventually banded with California in the legal fight.

Magavern is director for Sierra Club California, one of the key groups that pushed for the new rules. Magavern said it shows why local and state governments need to lead the way in dealing with climate change.

Magavern said green policies also can help boost state and local economies.

"Green tech investment in California boomed after that law was passed," said Magavern. "In fact, last year about forty-percent of all of the clean tech venture capital invested world-wide was invested in California."

Local environmentalists hope New York's elected leaders will learn from California's experiences.

Respresentatives for local and state elected leaders will be part of the forum. Jim Simon is with Western New York Climate Action. He is a panelist for this afternoon's forum. Simon said at least the state has an active climate action plan. But he said local efforts are non-existent.

Simon said Erie County re-routed designated funding for sustainable environmental programs. And he said there has been no follow-thru on the Buffalo mayor's climate protection agreement.

Simon said the forum will hopefully create a dialogue toward instituting effective climate change policy locally.