07:33 AM MST on Thursday, February 17, 2005

KING5.com

SEATTLE - The United States is the world's biggest source of carbon monoxide and other emissions believed by some scientists to cause global warming.

The "Kyoto Agreement" on global warming took hold Wednesday. And while the Bush administration elected not to sign on, Seattle leaders announced their own plan to fight global warming.

In Seattle, the mayor and other leaders announced several initiatives to cut emissions.

The city will lead an effort to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles, plant more trees and promote green building by developers.

"Regardless of what the Bush administration feels about this issue, at the grass roots we not only understand what's going on, but with or without federal support we are starting to move," said Denis Hayes, Bullitt Foundation.

Mayor Greg Nickels says he will promote a climate protection agenda at the next meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.