"By creating a critical mass of green commercial space, we can make New York even more attractive to companies looking to locate and expand here," Bloomberg said in his breakfast presentation at the New York Hilton. In turn, green space can help employers attract talent: "Young people getting out of school want to work for progressive companies that they think are responsible."

In keeping with the seminar's theme--"Greening Your Bottom Line"--Bloomberg emphasized the long-term cost effectiveness of sustainable operations for his audience of building owners and managers. "We cannot stop making investments in the future, especially when it comes to energy," he said. "The state of our planet certainly demands action, and so does the state of our economy." He added, "The bottom line is that you don't have the monies to spend on energy that you did before, and you have to find a way to light, heat and cool by using less energy. The good news is that the steps we've taken to save energy will also save us a lot of money and create thousands of green jobs that are the key to our economic future."

Bloomberg gave plaudits to the commercial sector for leading the way. "In fact, BOMA members were employing green practices long before anybody coined the term, he said, noting that the association helps members find ways to save energy "simply by improving building operating standards." This not only helps members cut costs but also helps the city become more competitive among the world's markets.