Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2019-055 N.C.S. 05/06/2019Resolution No. 2019-055 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY WHEREAS, all the countries that signed the 2015 Paris Agreement vowed to keep warming this century "well below 2°C above pre -industrial levels" and to "pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5°C"; WHEREAS, the 2018 International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C estimates that humans have already caused about 1.0°C of global warming above pre -industrial levels; WHEREAS, the 2018 IPCC Special Report estimates that to have a 66% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5° C, we cannot exceed our remaining "carbon budget," which is equal to about 10 years of current -level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; WHEREAS, current global warming has contributed to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, floods, droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes; WHEREAS, Northern California wildfires in 2017 and 2018 destroyed at least 38,333 structures, killed 118, displaced thousands, and caused serious reductions in air quality; WHEREAS, the current pace of sea -level rise is already impacting California's coastline; at 2-3 feet of sea -level rise, parts of Petaluma would be under water; and there is the possibility of 6.5 feet or more of total sea -level rise by 2100; WHEREAS, climate change and the global economy's overshoot of ecological limits are driving the sixth mass extinction of species; WHEREAS, the U.S. has contributed greatly to these climate and ecological crises and bears an extraordinary responsibility to help solve them; WHEREAS, restoring a safe and stable climate requires mobilization at all levels of government and society on a scale, scope, and speed not seen since World War Two; WHEREAS, marginalized communities worldwide—including people of color, immigrants, indigenous communities, low-income people, those with disabilities, and the unhoused—are already disproportionately affected by climate change and must benefit first from a just transition to a sustainable and equitable economy; WHEREAS, efforts to control climate change will have many other beneficial Resolution No. 2019-055 N.C.S. effects, such as cleaner air and water; employment closer to home; cost savings for households and the City, and the priceless creation of community; WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma must do everything in its power to swiftly convert to an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable economy; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The City of Petaluma declares that a climate emergency threatens the world; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Petaluma will elevate climate issues to the highest priority in its goal -setting process; give precedence to climate mitigation and adaptation when evaluating policies and purchases, planning projects, and allocating resources; and will seek financial and regulatory aid to support these efforts; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Petaluma commits to reducing citywide GHG emissions to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible and no later than 2045—the goal set by Governor Brown's Executive Order B-55-18—and to accelerating climate adaptation and resilience strategies; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Petaluma will direct the Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) to immediately make a comprehensive assessment of current citywide GHG emissions—including those from consumption of goods and services—and to track GHG emissions and publicly report annually on its progress toward the goal of zero net emissions; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Petaluma will create a Climate Cabinet and partner with local and regional agencies to act immediately—including meeting commitments made in the RCPA's Climate Action 2020 and fully integrating climate actions in its 2045 General Plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Petaluma supports full public participation toward zero net emissions—including input from and participation by disenfranchised communities—and recognizes that Petaluma residents, community organizations, labor, business, and schools are integral to leading this effort; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Petaluma calls for emergency action at all levels of government to restore a safer climate, safeguard against the results of climate change, and support the just transition to a sustainable economy with good - paying, high-quality jobs. Resolution No. 2019-055 N.C.S. REFERENCE: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN ATTEST: Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 61h day of May 2019, fo by the following vote: € ity Attorney Mayor Barrett; Fischer; Healy; Kearney; King; Vice Mayor McDonnell; Miller r None None None Deputy City Clerk Mayor Resolution No. 2019-055 N.C.S. Page 3