A personal message from Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder

Last week, the Portland metropolitan region's transportation leaders put their stamp of approval on a transportation and livability blueprint for this region - a proposed list of projects and innovative policies collectively known as the Regional Transportation Plan. And today the Metro Council - in its federally recognized role as this region's transportation planning agency - also gave its approval to this plan. Adoption of the RTP marks a major milestone in Metro's Making the Greatest Place effort. We now have a bricks-and-mortar plan that will  create a sustainable region through smart investments.

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I recently met with a group of young people to talk with them about Metro's work in "Making the Greatest Place." I came away with some new perspectives and a commitment to involve young residents in the decisions we need to make to create a better future for all of us.

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 Oregon Zoo polar bears Tasul and Conrad join in the celebration. More

As a way to raise awareness about the significance of global climate change, the Metro Council has passed a resolution calling for Oct. 24 to be an international Day of Climate Action. The resolution voices Metro's support for global grassroots efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and to focus attention on the December United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen where world leaders will gather to create a new treaty on climate protocol. The current Kyoto Treaty is set to expire in 2012.

The Metro Council is working to reduce pollution through actions in transportation and land use planning, solid waste and recycling, and conservation education. The Council's Climate Initiative works to provide regional leadership in coordinating the efforts of local governments, civic groups, university systems and business representatives to meet the State of Oregon's greenhouse gas reduction goals.

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