HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 7476 mi
EVERETT
WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 7476
A RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE CRISIS AND CALLING FOR ACTIONS
TO RESTORE A SAFE CLIMATE
WHEREAS,
1. The greenhouse gas effect, trapping gases and warming earth's atmosphere, has
been well documented for over 150 years; and
2. In 1896 Svant Arrhenius, a Swedish physicist and chemist who received the Nobel
Prize for Chemistry in 1903, was the first to use basic principles of chemistry and
physics to estimate how increases in carbon dioxide can increase Earth's temperature;
and
3. In 1960 Dr. Charles David Keeling was the first to measure the progressive buildup of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (the Keeling Curve), and alert the world to the
possibility of anthropogenic global warming; and
4. Keeling's research documented atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide
growing from 315 parts per million (ppm) in 1958 to 380 ppm in 2005, with increases
correlated to fossil fuel emissions with a cumulative effect; and
5. Today carbon dioxide levels are in excess of 410 ppm, estimated by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be the highest atmospheric concentrations
of carbon dioxide in 3 million years, when earth's temperature was 2° to 3°Celcius (3.6°
to 5.4°Fahrenheit) higher than during the pre-industrial era, and sea level was 15 to 25
meters (50 to 80 feet) higher than today; and
6. Carbon dioxide levels have been steadily increasing unabated since measurements
began. Once in the atmosphere and oceans, they remain for centuries resulting in
significant cumulative impacts. There is a lag between the release of carbon dioxide
(and other greenhouse gases (GHG)) and impacts such as warmer atmosphere and
oceans, extreme weather events, fires and sea level rise; and
7. Other GHGs contribute to global warming including methane, nitrous oxide,
chlorofluorocarbon, and water vapor. Of these, methane exists in large and rapidly
increasing concentrations. It is many times more powerful as a heat trapping gas than
carbon dioxide, and due in part to warmer temperatures and natural gas extraction, is
being released in larger amounts; and
8. World leaders have been briefed on the science and consequences of global
warming and climate change since the 1960s. In the 1970s. Congressional leaders held
the first hearings on the impacts of GHGs and climate change, and in 1988 UK Prime
Minister Margaret Thatcher was the first global leader to call for action; and
9. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), considered the world
authority, has issued many reports on climate change beginning in 1990. In October of
2018, IPCC published a special report, "Global Warming of 1.5C," addressing the Paris
Agreement targets of no more than a 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius increase in average
global temperature, strengthening the global response and calling for immediate public
and private sector actions to reduce GHGs; and
10. The 2018 IPCC 1.5C report documents the effects of 1.5 degrees Celsius warming
including: extreme heat, storm events, floods, droughts, fires, sea level rise, disruption
to agriculture, health risks, and loss of bio-diversity. All of these effects significantly
increase with warmer temperatures; and
11. The "Fourth National Climate Assessment," published by the United States in 2018,
identifies changes by regions, and in the Pacific Northwest these include: increases in
temperature, large wildfires, reductions in glaciers and snowpack, drought and water
scarcity, warmer ocean temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of storm
events, ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, species migration, social disruption
and more; and
12. Historical statistical frameworks for measuring storms, fires, droughts and other
climate impacts are no longer valid predictors of future events which are increasing in
frequency and intensity in relationship to increases in temperature; and
13. According to the IPCC, pathways limiting global warming to 1.5C require rapid and
far-reaching transitions in energy, land use, infrastructure (transportation and buildings),
and other areas, resulting in deep emission reductions and scaling up of investments.
These systems transitions are unprecedented in terms of scale and have been
compared historically to preparations for World War II; and
14. The IPCC reports clearly document a disconnection between what climate science
tells us regarding the need for rapid reductions in GHG and transformative actions, and
current policy directions; and
15. There is a growing disconnection between generations and an emerging youth
movement; as a young generation awakens to the impacts associated with inheriting an
ever warming world, and the failure of those in positions of power to respond to what
has been known for over forty years.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EVERETT CITY COUNCIL THAT:
1. The Everett City Council and Mayor find that climate change poses an existential
threat to public health, safety and welfare, in Everett, Washington State, the United
States and across the globe. The emergent nature of this threat requires immediate and
ongoing actions, including a transition to a clean energy economy, and mitigation and
adaptation strategies.
2. The Everett City Council has adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) preparing for
climate change including recommendations addressing mitigation, adaptation and green
economic development. In 2020 the City will select from the plan actions that can be
implemented in a short time frame, and will develop further actions requiring longer term
development and appropriate budget considerations for FY 2021 and beyond.
3. The Everett City Council and Mayor support actions in energy, land use,
infrastructure (transportation and buildings), and other areas, resulting in GHG emission
reductions. These include but are not limited to:
A. Adopt and implement a Climate Action Plan including provisions for mitigation,
adaptation and green economic development.
B. Support policies at the State and regional level that price carbon, and provide
incentives for renewable energy such as solar, wind and bio-fuels. Examples may
include low carbon fuel standards, cap and trade and a carbon fee.
C. Support policies at the State level for zero emission vehicle (ZEV) standards.
ZEV standards will provide greater electric vehicle options for consumers.
D. Support electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Everett, the Puget Sound region,
and the State of Washington, and work with Snohomish County PUD to ensure the
capability to deliver sufficient electrical capacity for future EVs.
E. Support non-motorized transportation (bicycle and pedestrian movement)
moving people in ways that reduce GHG emissions.
F. Support land use and transportation policies and transit oriented development
that can reduce GHG emissions and create livable communities.
G. Support development of green building materials such as cross laminated
timber and other lower carbon materials.
H. Support energy efficiency in buildings and building codes.
4. The Everett City Council and Mayor support green economic development initiatives
including working with the higher education community (WSU, Everett Community
College and others) to engage in research and development and workforce training.
The City will work with the Washington State Department of Commerce as they prepare
recommendations for clean renewable energy and economic development expected in
June of 2020.
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5. The Everett City Council and Mayor recognize that responding to climate change
requires coordination with other entities including local, regional and state governments,
private sector, higher education, and non-governmental organizations. The City will
work with other public and private organizations in developing policy recommendations
and actions.
6. The Everett City Council and Mayor will annually review these policy actions to
determine their potential to reduce GHG emissions, respond to climate change, support
sustainability, and prescribe such other measures as they may deem necessary. The
City Council and Mayor will seek public involvement in implementing climate action
plans.
(X-4,25
Cduncilmember introducing Resolution
Paul Roberts
Passed and approved this 29 day of January, 2020.
Cassie Franklin, Mayor Judy Tuoh , Council resident
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Jeff?r 'e, Council Member cott Murphy, C it Me /j-•-
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Eli -beth .4.71, Council Member Scott Bader, Council Member
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Bre ,1.a Stonecip Council Member
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