Four years ago I stood here at City Hall and said “Thank You” to my friends, family and supporters for electing me mayor of this incredible city. I look back now and realize it has taken the experiences of the last four years to truly appreciate the honor that you gave me that day. I knew it before – but now I’ve lived it. This place, our people, make up the finest city in this nation. There are bigger cities. But there are simply no better cities.  Serving as your mayor is the greatest honor I could ever imagine. In the past four years, I have looked at best practices throughout this nation. And I’ve learned – with both a growing pride and a profound sense of responsibility – that the nation is also looking back to us. Read more »

Earlier in the year ActLocallySF.org hosted an article in support of Bus Rapid Transit on Geary Blvd. in San Francisco. Below is another view for the proposed BRT line for Geary.

By Planning Association for the Richmond

The image of unimpeded, predictable and comfortable transit from the Richmond District to downtown described for a BRT System is attractive, even seductive. However, the reality is that there are many unanswered questions, including what service levels will be provided and how BRT would work at key intersections and east of Van Ness Avenue. Read more »

By Tamara Barak
San Francisco Examiner

Combining the fight against global warning with a Web-based community is a match made in the Bay Area. Although EarthLab.com was born in Seattle, local residents are flocking to it in record numbers since its launch on July 7, in conjunction with the Live Earth concert. The green-focused Web site, which is unique in its ability to calculate the environmental footprint and carbon output from each individual and compare scores across regions or zip codes, has attracted 38,000 users from the Bay Area in less than two months, said site founder Duane Dahl. Read more »

By Zach Church and Holly Kaufman

The tools to develop a sustainable energy system are available to us in San Francisco today, and the City is already implementing many of them. San Francisco has abundant ocean, wind and solar energy potential, compact development that presents opportunities for efficient transportation, and citizens possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, technological know-how, and a commitment to environmental progress. San Francisco can continue to promote sustainable energy solutions that will help achieve Mayor Newsom’s 20 percent greenhouse gas reduction target, save money, create jobs, strengthen the local economy and increase the quality of life in our City.  Each of the suggestions below should be part of the City’s comprehensive, integrated climate change and energy plan.  Read more »