Zero Carbon is the Goal for Woodstock

Woodstock town hall's large flat roof is blotted out by 112 solar panels - an early manifestation of the town council's resolution last month to become the first American community to be "carbon neutral" - that is, to achieve no net emission of carbon dioxide - within a decade.

Down on the main street below, however, a steady trail of enormous sports utility vehicles and flat-bed trucks - at least 50 per cent of the morning traffic through the pretty little town in upstate New York - provides an obvious reality check on the optimism of America's environmental movement.

A particularly vast SUV rumbles past, its driver possibly off to do theweekly shop. "I agree that when we see a monster like that, it's fairto ask how we're ever going to offset all this consumption," he said. "Well, that's America's challenge."

Locals will be encouraged to do everything from fit energy efficient light bulbs and ride bicycles, to fit solar panels and take advantage of tax incentives to make their homes more energy efficient.

Residents can keep their cars as long as they produce enough clean power to offset their emissions.