URBAN REACTIONS TO THE GLOBAL WARMING ISSUE - AGENDA-SETTING IN TORONTO AND CHICAGO

Little research has been done about what cities could or should do con cerning potential global warming. A few cities have adopted programs t o deal with impacts they perceive may occur, and a worldwide network o f 100 cities involved with CO2 reduction has recently emerged. Global warming is a new issue for cities and most are only dimly aware of how it may affect them. Toronto, through the efforts of a few leaders, ha s become a pioneer in the development of an urban response program to global warming. It has charged a city agency to deal with global warmi ng issues, in particular emissions reduction. Chicago is aware of the issue and is concerned about the negative impacts global warming could produce. While behind Toronto, Chicago is moving forward in a number of areas. These two cities illuminate the policy-making process for gl obal warming at the urban level and the role 'policy entrepreneurs' ca n play at this level. In comparing the two cities, a common model of p olicy development is utilized.