Cities across the country are losing their struggle to reduce emissions of “greenhouse gases” that contribute to global warming, according to the Minneapolis-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR). A recent ILSR report studied 10 major cities that signed onto the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, and found that they must redouble their efforts to meet the agreement's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels.

355 mayors in 49 states have signed the climate protection agreement.

54 million people live in cities that are part of the agreement.

6.5% to 27% is the range of overall increases in greenhouse gas emissions over 1990 baseline levels found in the 10 cities that were included in the ILSR report.

Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance report “Lessons from the Pioneers: Tackling Global Warming at the Local Level.” Jan. 8, 2007.