High-Profile Hire Shows New Mayor's Commitment to a Sustainable Los Angeles

"Signaling he intends to focus on creating a more environmentally-friendly Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti Friday named Global Green USA CEO Matt Petersen as the city’s first Chief Sustainability Officer," reports Frank Stoltze. 

“I am proud to have him lead my citywide effort to make every neighborhood healthier, create green jobs, and hold every city department responsible for cleaner air and water,” Garcetti said in a statement.

"Since 1994, Petersen has led Santa Monica-based Global Green USA," notes Stoltze. "It is the American affiliate of Green Cross International, which was founded by former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev to 'foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future,' according to the group’s website."

“'Cities are on the front lines of solutions to climate change and creating a clean energy economy,' [Peterson] said. [He] mentioned all of the usual green goals: more mass transit, more solar energy, more local water supplies, and more energy efficiency. He also said he’d like to see L.A. allow more food to be grown locally by small farmers."