A 'Green' Manifesto From L.A.'s Mayor

Under the leadership of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the city of L.A., long infamous for its smog and traffic, has become a leader in many aspects of sustainable urban living.

2 minute read

December 25, 2007, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Last month, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa addressed the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Summit in Seattle-where mayors from around the country shared their green accomplishments and challenged each other to do more for the pursuit of a sustainable, carbon neutral country. Mayor Villaraigosa's speech from that event was entitled "Global Warming and Local Responsibility," which offers L.A. as a model for sustainable cities around the country.

"The facts are all around us. The U.N. Climate Change study earlier this year slammed the case shut. Increases in greenhouse gases can be attributed to human activity with a ninety-percent degree of certainty, and the "warming of the climate system is unequivocal." The fact is, in my home state of California, we're looking at a dry century, with temperatures expected to rise by between three and 12 degrees."

"I tell people practically everywhere I go: my administration's goal is to make Los Angeles the cleanest and greenest big city in America. Now, I have to admit that when I say that, sometimes people ask me whether I'm talking about Los Angeles, California. And they're right to ask. Our past-like America's past-hasn't always been synonymous with sustainability."

"We are owning up to the fact that, since we hold title to our utility, the city of Los Angeles directly owns roughly one-third of our carbon emissions...So, when I came into office, we set a goal of getting 20 percent of our energy from renewable sources by the year 2010. I'm proud to say that in just two years, we've nearly tripled our renewable portfolio."

Thursday, December 20, 2007 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today