Towns put climate change resolution on town meeting agendas

SALEM, N.H. --More than 75 percent of New Hampshire towns will vote on a resolution drawing attention to the issue of global warming this year, but there's some debate about whether such symbolic gestures really generate any heat.

The New Hampshire Carbon Coalition has pushed towns to adopt warrant articles showing support for efforts to control climate change and reduce carbon emissions. About 180 towns and cities will vote on the measure, most at town meeting in March, but not everyone is pleased the resolution has muscled its way onto ballots.

"I think nonbinding resolutions at Town Meeting are a perversion of the purpose of Town Meeting, and are meaningless," said Charlie Arlinghaus, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy. "Essentially, what it amounts to is a publicity stunt."

Edward "Ted" Leach, co-founder of the coalition, said the question lets New Hampshire speak to the presidential candidates making frequent visits to the first-in-the-nation primary state.

The resolution has two parts. First, it says the community supports a national program requiring greenhouse gas reductions, while still protecting the economy. Second, it calls for the creation of a major national research initiative to foster the development of sustainable energy technology.

"So, are you in favor of clean air and new jobs? Yeah," said Arlinghaus. "It's nice to word your resolution in a way that people could not possibly oppose it, especially if people want to go home."

Many New Hampshire towns didn't take to the resolution right away, and many letters to boards of selectmen were rejected outright.

In Salem, last September, Selectmen Vice Chairman Everett McBride said he would be willing to accept it in the form of a citizen petition but didn't want to see it come from an outside group. Conservation Commission Chairman George Jones and 27 others then signed a petition to get the resolution on the town warrant.

Arlinghaus said he doubted candidates would pay much attention.

"It will put no pressure on candidates, because turnouts are small," he said. "Whatever vote they have will not be considered an actual reflection of people's passions."

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Information from: Eagle Tribune, http://www.eagletribune.com