The World's Mayors Gather in San Francisco

It was a sunny day in the city. I was headed to a meeting in the SoMa neighborhood. As I came out of the MUNI tunnel at Civic Center Plaza I happened upon an unexpected site at U.N. Plaza. Hundreds of workers were busy giving a significant facelift to the birthplace of the United Nations. They were preparing the plaza for what was to come. This past week the U.N. recognized the formation of the world organization 60 years ago. Our humble city by the bay, San Francisco, was to be a gathering place for a select group of mayors from the largest urban centers on the planet. Their purpose was to consider ways they might lead their cities more soundly in light of pressing ecological problems of our day. The nearly 70 mayors hashed out a series of accords that they intend to implement. The accords signed by 50 of the world's mayors on Sunday call for:
-- Adding renewable energy sources.
-- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2030.
-- Achieving zero waste to landfills by 2040.
-- Implementing "user-friendly" composting programs.
-- Mandating a "green building" rating system.
-- Supporting organically grown food production and consumption.
-- Creating more environmentally beneficial jobs in poor neighborhoods.
-- Ensuring there is a city park or green space within one-half kilometer of every city resident.
-- Greatly increasing trees in cities.
-- Adding affordable public transit.
-- Reducing and eliminating harmful chemicals within cities.
-- More access to potable water.

I was encouraged by this gathering. Here are leaders...men and woman who lead some of the great cities of our day, both in the developed world and in developing nations, and their agenda was to consider how they might leave a legacy for future generations. The history of our day is that much human activity is damaging the wonderful creation of God. Without intending to, we are leaving a disasterous fingerprint on the world. Our waste. Our landfills. Our consumption. Our cars. There are so many world environment things we neglect to think about. Awareness is the beginning of change. To many of my Christian brothers and sisters ecology is not on the map of their life and faith. This is a disappointment. For years I did not see that my own actions and lack of care for God's gift made me only act in behalf of things of heaven. But the stuff of earth was not in my agenda. I fully believe God is on the move to restore what has been harmed, and my actions today are part of this divine conspiracy (to use a Dallas Willard title). Restoration of Creation is worth pursuing. I'm not sure if God was pleased as the world's mayor gathered to talk at these accords in SF, but I do believe God will be pleased if they are acted upon. And I know that the world will be better and more healthy if they are acted upon - by the mayors, by cities, and by me. Peace.

Check out the Chronicle summary of the Accords:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/06/06/MNG4VD47071.DTL