KyotoUSA Berkeley reception	Enele Sopoaga, Tuvalu’s Ambassador
Martin Wagner of Earth Justice	Randy Hayes of Rainforest Action Network

Berkeley Endorsement of the Kyoto Protocol

A press conference held on Valentine's Day 2005 with His Excellency, Enele Sopoaga, Tuvalu’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Wagner of Earth Justice, and Randy Hayes of Rainforest Action Network speaking of the importance of Berkeley signing on to the Kyoto Protocol and also (2.) Ambassador Sopoaga's comments from a reception held in honor in west Berkeley, February 13, 2005.

Press Release
• Berkeley hosts His Excellency, Enele Sopoaga, Tuvalu’s Ambassador to the United Nations

• Berkeley marks the implementation date of the Kyoto Protocol and calls for local efforts to reduce the production of climate altering greenhouse gases. Berkeley City Hall, 2180 Milvia Street (rear) on February 14, 2005

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates welcomed the Ambassador’s visit: “We are honored that Ambassador Sopoaga is coming to Berkeley to celebrate our effort to reduce Berkeley’s contribution to the cause of global climate change. Global warming must be addressed and the City of Berkeley has pledged to do its part. As members of the global community, we all share that responsibility.”

Councilmember Linda Maio, a long time advocate for addressing global warming at the local level, stated, “The Kyoto Protocol is an essential first step in reducing greenhouse gases that are being released into the atmosphere. It is deeply troubling that the US will not support the Kyoto Protocol. As the single greatest source of climate-altering greenhouse gases, the US should take the lead. The planet’s entire life support system is at risk through our inaction. Berkeley is taking steps to go well beyond Kyoto emissions reduction targets. Many of our citizens, businesses, and institutions are doing likewise. Because the global consequences are so severe, we urge cities across America to endorse the Kyoto Protocol and to adopt their own greenhouse gas reduction plan.”

Ambassador Sopoaga speaks to audiences around the world about how global climate change is affecting the low-lying islands and countries in Africa, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. He is also the Vice Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSOIS). AOSIS is a coalition of small island and coastal countries that share similar development challenges and concerns about the environment, especially their vulnerability to the adverse effects of global climate change.

Ambassador Sopoaga thanked Berkeley and its residents for its effort: “Every contribution counts. Our interest in moving the global economy towards less carbon intensive activity is not self-serving, for the consequences that we are first to encounter will surely be felt by others.”

KyotoUSA, an organization that encourages local action to end global warming, sponsored the Ambassador’s trip. KyotoUSA’s Tom Kelly addressed the need for action: “Cities and their residents can make a significant reduction in the amount of climate changing gases they are producing. KyotoUSA urges U.S. cities to endorse the Kyoto Protocol and to take real action to curb the production of greenhouse gases. By acting individually and collectively, we clean our air and water, improve our health, create economic activity, and leave a vibrant planet for all the world’s children.”