Solutions for climate change exist, but the years of refusal at the federal level have left the U.S. government behind the curve. Because of this, the real innovation on climate change in this country is happening at the local level. It's the governors, mayors, county executives, and town supervisors in the U.S., and in New York in particular, who are leading the way on comprehensive solutions to climate change.

Westchester County boasts such innovation. At the urging of the League's Westchester Chapter, County Executive Andy Spano established the first-ever countywide Global Warming Task Force [0]. The task force has been charged with establishing a goal for lowering greenhouse gas emissions; a strategy to get there for each sector, including business, education, and government; and influencing other New York counties to follow suit. The report of the Westchester task force was released on February 26, 2008 and NYLCV will be working with County leaders in the public and private sector to set concrete goals and committments based on the report.