Posted by Drew Seutter, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 11:39 am

It seems like John Inks is the only councilmember living in the real world, but I already knew that. Thanks for standing up to this nonsense.

Posted by Chrisgen, a resident of another community, on Nov 5, 2009 at 12:08 pm

Laudable goal, on the face of it. In my book, just another ploy by the politicos to (i) follow fashion, (ii) raise money which they will squander.

BTW, how much CO2 is emitted by EMPTY VTA busses going through MV day and night? Food for thought!

Posted by Kanank, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 2:39 pm

Its all fine. What are the real actions that is going to achieve these goals? Let us not pat ourselves on the back before something is accomplished. Words and legislations alone don't solve anything. "We are one of first in the country" is lot of hot air.

Posted by jane, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 3:54 pm

Thank you City Council. We have to start somewhere in the recognition that we need to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Approving emmision reductions goals is at least a start.

Posted by biged, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 6:59 pm

An interesting book published recently highlights that New York City

residents have much lower CO2 footprint (7 tons/yr vs. ~24 tons

U.S. average)

Reason is not that they are greener just that owning a car is painful

in NYC, and homes are close to shops and most people take public

transit to work.

Greenhouse reductions goals are not the relevant factor. It's

lifestyle and population density

Posted by Dave, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2009 at 11:13 pm

Thank you City Council for setting targets! For city government to work on even a plan for how they can help reduce Mountain View's emissions, they need city council's approval. This step is a way of saying we as a city are ready to do our part to help solve the problem (and from what I read, the risk of severe climate change looks more serious every day).

I hope that efforts taking place at the world, national and state level will kick into high gear, but I can't just rely on hope. If many cities and citizens like us are the workhorses reducing our emissions, we might make the biggest difference.

Posted by Old Ben, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Nov 6, 2009 at 10:30 am

Another reason why NYC is ahead of the curve on auto exhaust is that their traffic lights are timed to expedite the flow of traffic. Here in MV, it seems that the opposite is true.

Posted by cc, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Nov 10, 2009 at 9:24 am

The city can help MV residence to get solar power.

The city can use LED street light.

Posted by out of towner, a resident of another community, on Nov 10, 2009 at 9:25 pm

Triumph of silliness over substance. These kool-aid drinkers actually believe that MV will solve global warming by lowering their own GHG emissions. Science does not support this.

Posted by Monta Loma, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Nov 11, 2009 at 4:37 pm

The Council is absolutely ridiculous!

Kudos to John Inks for having the courage, intelligence, and leadership to stand-up and be counted!!

The more I read of Inks the more I like the guy…we need more John Inks on the Council, Board of Supervisors, State Assembly, etc., etc.!!

Posted by Doug Pearson, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Nov 12, 2009 at 5:21 pm

I'm surprised that John Inks' most vehement supporters seem to think he opposes action to reduce green house gasses. The way I read the article, he just wants to be sure our goal is real. That makes sense to me, but I'd rather have a goal that's too high now than a realistic one later.

Posted by Jon Wiener, a resident of another community, on Nov 14, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Is 5 percent really aggressive?

Posted by Drew Seutter, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Nov 18, 2009 at 3:37 pm

I don't consider myself vehement, but I did vote for John Inks. I skipped the other councilmembers on the ballot who I considered bozos. They really do seem like sheep to me, not the leaders that they aspire towards.

I do think it is getting warmer. I do not think that man has caused it or that man can change it. If you have ever studied paleoclimatology, and I have, you quickly learn that climate has changed - a lot - in the past. It will continue to change, now and in the future. Enjoy the sunshine and warmth while it is here, and don't be afraid to drive your family to the beach once in awhile.