WHEREAS, available scientific evidence indicates thatchlorofluorocarbons ("CFCs"} and Halons, when discharged intothe environment, deplete the earth's protective ozone layer,allowing increased amounts of ultraviolet radiation topenetrate the earth's atmosphere, thereby posing a long-termdanger to human health, life and the environment byincreasing such harms as skin cancers, cataracts, suppressionof the immune system, damage to crops and aquatic life, andrelated harms;WHEREAS, the release of Halons in testing fireextinguishing systems is a primary source of the release ofHalons into the earth's atmosphere;WHEREAS,. CFCs are widely used in refrigeration and airconditioning systems in a form commonly known as "Freon";WHEREAS, there is currently no economically feasibletechnology available as a substitute for the Freon used inrefrigeration and air conditioning systems, and the Halonused in certain fire extinguishing systems;
Irvine's proposed restriction on compounds that deplete the ozone may not solve the critical global problem that products containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) cause, but it is a sincere and more than symbolic effort at least to control the release of the dangerous chemicals in one corner of the world.
Irvine is not the first governmental body to move toward control of CFCs. Other cities and some states have banned plastic foam food packaging that contains CFCs, and some have barred auto air conditioners and recharging cartridges that contain CFCs. But nobody here knows of an ordinance as comprehensive as the one under consideration in Irvine. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held June 29.
Cambridge, Massachusetts. Like a lot of folks, Jeb Brugmann wants city officials out of city hall. Unlike most, he'd like to see them visiting foreign governments, setting up trade agreements, sister city projects and cultural exchange programs.
"Over a thousand U.S. cities are deeply involved in world affairs issues," Brugmann says. And while some of those activities-divestment from firms doing business in South Africa and the shipment of development aid to Central American villages--might seem distinctly partisan, Brugmann insists there's a payoff. "Getting city governments involved in international affairs in general can mean big dividends for both local governments and international businesses, in general."
To the mixed reaction of business people who will be affected by it, Irvine officials Tuesday formally announced their intention to help protect the planet's ozone layer by restricting the use of solvents and other compounds.
Although other cities, including Los Angeles, have banned the use of plastic foam containers that have chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, Irvine's proposed law goes after virtually all "ozone-depleting compounds."
"We think It is the most far-reaching ordinance in the United States, and we think it will set the standard nationally and globally," Irvine Mayor Larry Agran said at a news conference Tuesday.
Office of the Mayor
Burlington Vermont 05401
Bernard Sanders, Mayor
October 26, 1982
As Mayor of the City of Burlington, Vermont, the largest City in our State, I thought it appropriate to inform you that at our Board of Alderman's meeting last night, the Board unanimously rejected our City's participation in any crisis relocation plan involving evacuation of the City as a result of nuclear war. I should point out to you that what is especially significant about this decision is that there are three distinct philosophical groupings on our Board - five Republicans, three Democrats and five Independent/Citizens Party members. Not one member of the Board spoke out or voted for crisis relocation. I am enclosing a copy of the resolution passed.
It seems to me that the major point our City is making is that we believe it to be totally irresponsible to allow people the false hope that they could survive a nuclear war, or that a nuclear war could be "winable". Virtually all of the respectable medical and scientific
evidence indicates that if nuclear war should occur virtually all of the people in our area would be killed, and those that survived might prefer death. As you know there is also the distinct possibility that all out nuclear war could totally destroy all life on this planet.
