Recently a Eureka Springs developer, Chris Bradley, was turned down by the Historic District Commission to put a metal roof on a new home in Eureka because commission members felt it "jarred" with the houses around it. I would encourage this decision be appealed to the City Council, which has unanimously adopted the U.S. Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement (http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/) striving to have city codes to help combat climate change.

Metal roofs are very energy efficient and can reduce heating and cooling costs considerably. They are durable and last 40 to 50 years, compared to shingle roofs made out of petroleum that have to be replaced every 15 to 20 years and end up in the landfill.

One of the most important things you can do to have a "green," environmentally sustainable home is install a metal roof.

In fact, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides purchasers of metal roofs with tax credit savings up to $500! (Legislation is pending to extend this tax credit for 2008).

Climate change is the most serious issue threatening the survival of the ecosystems on Planet Earth that sustain all life. We have a moral imperative to do all we can to combat climate change.

Climate change is happening alarmingly fast. Last summer, the Arctic melted far faster than ever before. The Northwest Passage was open for five weeks for the first time in recorded human history.

I recently attended a Peak Oil talk where local petroleum geologist Dr. Jim Helwig said he is now exploring for oil in areas of the Arctic where they have never been able to explore before because it was covered with ice.

There is nothing historic about asphalt shingles. Eureka went from wooden shakes to metal roofs and then to asphalt shingles. There are metal roofs on historic structures in my neighborhood, so let's not prevent people from using this roofing alternative that is not just good for the environment but, in my opinion, very attractive.

The City of Eureka Springs has done the right thing pledging to combat climate change. Now let's follow through by having city policies that honor that commitment.