Climate change is an issue that deserves our immediate attention, said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 Administrator Felicia Marcus, who opened a public conference on global climate change convened by EPA in Phoenix on September 24, 1998. According to Marcus, efforts to address climate change at the international, national, and local levels have been characterized by commonsense, a clear long-term vision, and a constructive spirit. This positive and proactive approach has created programs that make environmental and economic sense on a host of fronts. In fact, she said, voluntary programs sponsored by EPA and the Department of Energy already save Arizona businesses and organizations $19.6 million each year through greater efficiency in energy use.