Just last week Anderson signed an executive order mandating that all city "owned and controlled" buildings be built according to LEED, or "green building," design standards. The design standards help reduce a building's energy usage, reducing emissions associated with energy production and use.

As an advocate, Anderson has tried to give locals a reason to care about global warming. In his 2005 State of the City speech the mayor said higher temperatures could level Utah's lucrative ski industry in just a few decades.

The world "stands at the brink of environmental catastrophe from global warming," he said. Climate change could "spell the end of much of the ski industry."

The mayor's passion and innovations have gained him some international renown. He has advised G-8 Summit organizers, the United Nations and a major political party in the European Union has sought his global warming counsel.

Anderson will be just one of many speakers at the summit, which begins today with a reception at the City-County Building downtown.

Monday the summit moves to Sundance, and on Tuesday mayors will be asked to make commitments to adopt action plans to reduce emissions in their cities.

Speakers include other mayors, academics (including Jacques Cousteau's son Jean-Michel), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Gore, who has become a noted environmental advocate since losing his 2000 presidential bid.

While most of the summit is open to reporters, Gore's speech is closed to the press.

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Sundance Summit

Today: Opening reception, Salt Lake City-County Building.

Monday: Sessions at Sundance, keynote dinner speech by former Vice President Al Gore.

Tuesday: Sessions at Sundance.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com