A global change at the local level

There are those in the environmental movement who measure progress in greenhouse gas emissions or pesticide use.

Meryl Frank measures it in empty seats.

She's the mayor of Highland Park, a small borough in Middlesex County, and for the past four years she has given a workshop at the annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference about the things towns can do to go green.

The first year, it attracted about 12 people -- mostly environmental advocates looking for someone to lobby. Then next year it was 30 people, including a few council members showed up. Then it was 40, and she started seeing fellow mayors.

This past year?

"The seats were full,"