Global warming is arguably the most serious and complex environmental challenge facing humankind in the twenty-first century. By working together, nationally and as a worldwide body, local governments have a unique ability to reduce the pollution that causes global warming.

Domestically, local governments have been the biggest agents for change on this issue, with the biggest measurable achievements being demonstrated at the local level. Mayors comprise a powerful group that has been underutilized in the fight for climate protection in the United States. During 2005, mayoral visibility and leadership on the climate issue began rising dramatically, creating tremendous public awareness and a sense of expectation.

In July 2005, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), together with Robert Redford, his non-profit conferencing organization Sundance Preserve, and Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, co-hosted the inaugural Sundance Summit: A Mayors’ Gathering on Climate Protection to catalyze and showcase the power of local leadership on climate protection. The event provided every mayor in attendance with the knowledge and tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their respective cities. The 45 participating mayors represented 28 states and 10 million U.S. citizens. Collectively, they agreed that they can and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking a number of concrete actions. They also committed to continuing to advance climate protection as a collaborative group and endorsed the establishment of the Sundance Summit as an annual event in support of mayoral climate protection work.

Every year the Sundance Summit offers an annual forum to expand mayoral leadership and support this influential group by providing information, resources, and communications tools to continually build upon their demonstrated progress. The 2005 event launched an ongoing national effort to halt global warming and influence U.S. national energy policy. As these mayors are rapidly becoming the nation’s leading actors and spokespeople on the climate issue, the 2006 provided critical support to continue the work and address a specific, requested need: communications assistance. In 2007, the third annual Summit brought an array of information and tools to the mayors, including a special focus on how local climate action will fit into federal climate legislation.