NEW YORK, NY May 15, 2007 —Representatives from 40 of the world's largest cities joined international business leaders today in Manhattan for the ongoing summit on climate change. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone told the conference that cities can't afford to wait for their national governments to take action on climate change. Cities produce three quarters of the world's carbon emissions and Livingstone said cities should join forces to reduce that figure.

Livingstone spoke about London's system for charging drivers who enter the central business district - a plan New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg hopes to emulate. Though it was criticized at the beginning, Livingstone said the program has cut emissions while increasing mass transit. He also said polls show most people support the program, adding quote, I think politicians underestimate the intelligence of the general public. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.