Lexington aims to ditch bad reputation on Earth Day

Earth day event targets reducing harmful emissions

Herald-Leader staff report

Up to 200 people are expected to gather in downtown Lexington on Wednesday to talk about reducing the city's carbon footprint.

Lexington has been chosen as one of 10 cities across the country for what is being called a "Spotlight Conversation" on Earth Day.

Last year, the Brookings Institute conducted a first-of-its-kind study of the per-capita carbon footprints of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas. Lexington's combination of coal-fired energy, sprawl and lack of attention to efficiency tagged it at No. 100 — the worst of them all.

If you go
Spotlight Conversation
What: Learn and talk about how to reduce Lexington's carbon footprint, the worst of the nation's 100 largest metropolitan areas, according to a study released last year.
When: 8 a.m. to noon April 22.
Where: Hyatt Regency Ballroom, 401 W. High St.
Cost: Free; breakfast included.
Registration, information: Space is limited, so registration is advised. Go to http://events.climateconversation.org/main/events/show/8944.

In announcing the Spotlight event, Mayor Jim Newberry described it as "another step Lexington is taking as we strive to become a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

The keynote speaker will be Dan Coody, a former mayor of Fayetteville, Ark. In 2007, he was the first small-city mayor to be awarded the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Climate Protection Award.

The event is sponsored by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, the Earth Day Network and America Speaks.