The protocol, an agreement requiring participating countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases-fumes which many scientists believe deplete the world's ozone layer and cause global warming-was adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1997.
Berkeley's endorsement is not legally binding because only countries are permitted to sign the protocol. Still, Sopoaga said Berkeley's symbolic endorsement is a meaningful gesture.
"We believe that (Berkeley's resolution) is, although small, a very important step forward for international accord against climate change," Sopoaga said. "We are deeply touched by this show of global solidarity."
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice told a German television station earlier this month that she believed the protocol had neither Congressional nor Presidential support because the agreement would have "deleterious effects" on the economy.
But both Sopoaga and city officials said they hope Berkeley's endorsement will prompt other cities to support the agreement.
City officials said Berkeley is the first U.S. city to endorse the protocol, but state department officials could not confirm the claim because the department does not keep track of city or state resolutions regarding the protocol.
"It's up to the city of Berkeley to step up to the plate and show the way," Councilmember Linda Maio said. "Global warming is our new security concern. It's threatening the security of the entire world."
Sopoaga said small island nations like Tuvalu are the most vulnerable to the effects of global warming. He described the loss of land resulting from rising sea levels and the intrusion of seawater onto island freshwater sources as problems affecting islands today.
The council's approval of a resolution endorsing the protocol on Jan. 18 is the city's most recent effort in its longstanding campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The city began fueling all its buses and trucks with biodiesel-a clean-burning derivative of recycled soybean or vegetable oil-instead of diesel fuel in 2003. The city has also switched to powering its emergency generators on recycled cooking oil.
"To my mind, Berkeley has made sustainable development and energy conservation a very important part of our work here," said Arrietta Chakos, deputy city manager.
The protocol officially goes into effect tomorrow for the 128 participating countries worldwide.