News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
                                                                 
February 2, 2009                               

SUMTER SELECTED FOR 
 “SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATION” 

The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) has selected Sumter as a “Spotlight Conversation” for the 2009 National Conversation on Climate Action, sponsored by ICLEI, the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and AmericaSpeaks.  The Spotlight Conversation communities are part of a group that will be highlighted nationally and receive support in event planning and promotion.  Other communities selected to participate include Houston, Texas and Los Angeles County, California.  

The selected Spotlight Conversation communities will work closely with the event partners in the coming months to plan and promote events that focus on civic engagement, solutions-oriented dialogue and local climate action.  Local governments across the United States were invited to submit proposals to be a Spotlight Conversation, and Sumter was one of the ten selected.  “We look forward to supporting these…communities on Earth Day,” said Michelle Wyman, Executive Director of ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability USA.  “This will be an opportunity for the communities to advance their local climate protection goals and feed into a crucial national dialogue on the imperative of local climate action.” 

A statement from ICLEI reads, “South Carolina faces unique challenges on the climate protection and sustainability fronts, and we believe a well-designed Spotlight Conversation with a diverse lineup and action-oriented dialogue will support Sumter’s efforts to identify and implement solutions throughout the community.” 

Mayor, Joseph T. McElveen, Jr. released a statement in light of the recent news; "For a small city, Sumter has been very active in our efforts to become more sustainable.  Being recognized by ICLEI in this way is a real tribute to our community.  This will give us a chance to have an Earth Day that is fun and informative--and possibly to receive national recognition for our efforts." 

The Spotlight Conversation will take place as part of Earth Day in April 2009.  For more information, please log on to the event website at www.climateconversation.org