World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1972, to promote awareness of the environment and focus public action. Greenpeace is bringing this year’s focus to the threat of global warming.

The banner brings global warming home, and puts responsibility for change in the hands of individual cities, urging each city to implement real solutions such as solar and wind power. As one of the only major nations not to sign the Kyoto treaty on global warming, it is particularly important for American cities to overcome the Bush administration’s policy on global warming.

“Despite the inaction of the Bush administration, cities around the world including the United States, are joining together to take action against the very real threat of global warming.” said Samantha Rodgers, Greenpeace Clean Energy Now! campaigner. “Urban centers are where most of the world’s power is consumed. Our cities should lead the way in cutting greenhouse gases by implementing real solutions.”

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom presided over the ceremonies. San Francisco is the first city in California to pass Community Choice Energy legislation. The policy empowers the citizens of a city to decide for themselves whether their energy comes from dirty fossil fuels or clean renewable sources. While San Francisco has passed the legislation, the policy has yet to be implemented and Greenpeace is working to ensure that this important plan is not overlooked by Mayor Newsom during the World Environment Day events.

Four states, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island and New Jersey, have passed and successfully implemented Community Choice energy laws, showing that local control of energy purchasing decisions saves ratepayers money while reducing global warming emissions and cutting air pollution, providing power for more than 1.5 million Americans across the country.