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Greenbelt Alliance In the News

June 3, 2005

Delegates from Around the World in SF for World Environmental Conference

Subheading

San Francisco is putting its best foot forward in showcasing environmental protections to visiting mayors from around the world.

KCBS reporter George Harris says delegates from cities around the world are impressed with the efforts San Francisco has made to protect the environment.

"It's really nice to come to a city like San Francisco and see that you are actually doing well," said Carl Christian Ebbesen from Copenhagen. "We think of ourselves as the best in the world of thinking environmentally."

He told KCBS investments in his country to protect the air and water have paid off. "Our harbor is totally clean. It's ok to go there and have a swim."

On the other end of the spectrum is Jun Martin Lutteral from Argentina, who said his country can learn a lot about environmental protection at this conference.

"I come from Buenos Aires, and the big challenge there is waste, of course, and water contamination," he said. "I think we are in the process of just starting to understand the importance of protecting the environment."

Tom Steinbach, executive director of the Greenbelt Alliance and organizer of the UN World Environment event, said he is open to good tips from the visitors to "get some ideas from mayors about what's happening in other parts of the world."

Delegates toured the 300 acre Mission Bay Development, home to UCSF research and future site of the state Stem Cell Institute and much more environmentally friendly development.

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