Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC — Sister Cities International kicked off Earth Day 2010 today by highlighting the direct impact that environmentally-focused sister cities exchanges have in communities around the world.

"The realities of climate change are on display in every city," said Patrick Madden, president and CEO, Sister Cities International "Sister cities are addressing the urgency of climate change by collaborating with their international partners to solve the environment and energy problems that affect their communities. As a result of these exchanges, cities build stronger international ties, create local jobs, and preserve the planet for future generations."

For over a decade, sister city programs have developed exchanges to address issues like climate change. According to Sister Cities International's 2010 Community Impact Survey, over 18% of sister city programs who responded to the survey conduct environmentally-focused exchanges.

Some of the most recent sister cities exchanges:

• University, business, and civic leaders from Chicago, Illinois and Shanghai, China collaborated for a progressive sustainable energy project using geothermal and fuel cell technology. The technologies will provide energy efficient heat and electricity for a portion of a large-scale redevelopment on the south lakefront in Chicago.
• Duluth, Minnesota and Växjö, Sweden collaborated to promote clean energy technology, reduced energy consumption, and for green commerce in Duluth.
• The citizens of Boulder, Colorado raised over $900,000 for the construction of a cyber café in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. To ensure the café's sustainability, a Boulder-based solar energy solution company donated and installed solar electric and hot water systems.
• St. Louis, Missouri and Stuttgart, Germany recently signed a climate exchange agreement. The two cities aim to work together to share information and create innovative green technologies for their cities.

MEDIA CONTACT: Frances Reimers, 202.347.8630 x8251 or freimers@sister-cities.org

. About Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing exchanges and public programs on sustainable and economic development, youth and education, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance. More information about Sister Cities International can be found at www.sister-cities.org. Facebook: Sister Cities International; Twitter: @SisterCityIntl.