Mayor Greg Nickels recently announced that Seattle's greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 were 7 percent below 1990 levels, meeting the targets of the Kyoto Protocol. The reduction in climate pollution is even more remarkable considering Seattle's population grew 16 percent since 1990. The 2009 Climate Protection Initiative Progress Report details the city's myriad environmental and smart growth programs, such as bicycle and pedestrian improvements; new transit options; electric car infrastructure; conservation efforts and green building programs.

I haven't looked at the intricate details, but this announcement is nothing short of remarkable. If Seattle can actually reduce its emissions below 1990 levels without the economic calamities that are being espoused by the naysayers then it seems like most cities should be following suit.