New York City Announces Major Sustainability Initiative

While visiting a high-tech firm in Sunnyvale, California, with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a major, long-term planning and environmental sustainability initiative this afternoon.

"Now, we intend to make New York City a national leader in meeting the challenge of making ours an environmentally sustainable city. To make New York a truly sustainable city, we need a bold plan to use our land in the smartest way possible," Bloomberg said.

The key components of the Mayor's plan include the creation of the Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability, the undertaking of a major greenhouse gas inventory for City government and the City overall, the appointment of a Sustainability Advisory Board to advise the City on environmentally sound policies and practices, and the creation of a new partnership with the Earth Institute of Columbia University to provide the City with scientific research and advice on environmental and climate change-related issues.