Port Townsend, WA Addressing Climate Change/Global Warming

Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 5/29/07

Source File: http://www.cityofpt.us/CityCouncil/Resolutions/2007/07-022.pdf

Text:

City Resolution No. 07-022
JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL TO COMMIT TO ADDRESSING ENERGY USE AND CLIMATE CHANGE GLOBAL WARMING

The Board of County Commissioners of Jefferson County Washington and the City Council of Port Townsend Washington do jointly resolve as follows:

WHEREAS, numerous scientific organizations have determined that warming of the climate system is unequivocal as evidenced by increases in global average air and ocean temperatures receding glaciers decreasing snow pack, and coral bleaching, and by rising global mean sea levels, and further is potentially damaging to our environment and our economy; and

WHEREAS, energy consumption, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, e.g., coal, oil and gas, accounts for more than 80 of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and that the U S produces nearly one quarter of all global emissions; and

WHEREAS the governments of Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend can greatly influence the community's energy usage by exercising power over land use, transportation, building construction, waste management, and energy supply, and management; and

WHEREAS, governments can provide leadership by motivating and supporting citizens to improve energy use within businesses, port facilities schools, churches, and homes; and

WHEREAS, Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend recognize that the probable adverse effects on our citizens and infrastructure, and on our mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers, oceans, and other waterways from severe weather, rising temperatures, and rising sea levels due to climate change pose a risk to future economic viability; and

WHEREAS, actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, saving money and reducing tax burdens for governments, businesses, and citizens;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend commit to collaborate in a program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, specifically:

• Collaborating with the Climate Protection Campaign volunteers in conducting a comprehensive baseline inventory of local energy uses that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions especially C02 and making estimates of current emissions and forecasts of future emissions if current practices do not change,
• Appointing a joint City/County citizen s committee tasked with developing a Local Climate Action Plan Specifically the committee should provide recommendations for achieving a community-wide standard of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to levels 80 percent lower than 1990 levels by 2050 with preliminary reduction targets to be set for earlier years,
• Implementing policies and measures to meet the emission reduction targets, and
• Monitoring and verifying results

This resolution shall become effective upon adoption by the Board of County Commissioners and the City of Port Townsend.