The serious debate among most scientists about whether global warming is real has quietly ended. The only question that remains is: What can be done?

Theodore Roosevelt, America's first conservationist president, said in the early 20th century: "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are." His advice concerning the preservation of natural resources is just as important today as we consider how to respond to this generation's most important environmental crisis. And in the absence of federal action, local governments across the United States are doing what they can, where they are, to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) is helping many of these local governments take action by providing them with the tools they need to develop their own plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Pennsylvania alone is responsible for 1 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, so it is important for local governments to join that effort. Recently, I held a seminar to help officials from southeastern Pennsylvania learn how to partner with ICLEI not only to reduce greenhouse gases, but to save money and make their communities greener.

Through ICLEI's flagship program, Cities for Climate Protection, communities pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in government operations and private activities by following a process that helps them identify current emissions levels, set targets for future emissions reduction and develop a plan for meeting those targets. The process involves five basic steps.

The first is to create a baseline emissions inventory and forecast. The inventory measures actual greenhouse gas emissions for a base year, from all municipal operations (i.e. streetlights, government buildings, transit systems) and community activities (residential and commercial buildings, vehicle use, waste streams). The forecast estimates emissions in a future year were the community to take no action at all, and provides a benchmark against which the community can measure its progress.

The second step is to adopt an emissions target for the forecast year. This target provides a guide to the steps and measures that will be necessary in the intervening years.

The third step is development of a Local Action Plan. The plan lists the measures the community will take to achieve the reduction target. Plans often include where and how the reductions will take place, how they will be funded, which departments will be responsible for implementation, as well as a public awareness and education component.

The fourth phase is implementing the Local Action Plan, which can include the purchase of biodiesel and hybrid vehicles for transit systems and vehicle fleets; the addition of more bike lanes; recycling improvements; traffic signal retrofits; switching to renewable and/or clean energy sources; and planting trees and preserving more open space

Finally, local governments monitor and verify the results. This step begins once the measures in the Local Action Plan are first implemented and continues for the life of the plan. This part of the process provides important feedback about the effectiveness of the plan and allows local governments to improve or reconfigure it as needed.

ICLEI provides the information and assistance local officials need to make this program work. Participating communities realize benefits beyond greenhouse gas reduction: They reduce their utility and fuel costs, improve air quality and the health of their residents, and often boost economic development and create jobs. I urge local officials in southeastern Pennsylvania to consider joining this effort by contacting ICLEI-USA at 510-844-0699 or iclei-usa@iclei.org.

Global warming is real, and our climate is at the tipping point. Without action, the impact could very well place our communities in danger sooner than we think.

State Rep. Greg Vitali serves Delaware County.