HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 14310 (Climate Change Inheritance Protection)RESOLUTION NO. 14310
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
EXPRESSING A COMMITMENT TO PROTECT FUTURE GENERATIONS
FROM THE RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
WHEREAS, 195 countries, including the United States and every country that is a
member of the United Nations, reached an agreement in Paris, France on December 12,
2015, that recognizes the greatest burden resulting from an inadequate response to the
climate crisis will be carried by future generations; and
WHEREAS, the risks from an inadequate response are potentially devastating, and
include economic and environmental disruptions, many of which are already being felt
globally including more severe storms, longer and hotter heat waves, worsening flood and
drought cycles, growing invasive species and insect problems, accelerated species
extinction rates, increased wildfires, a dramatic increase in refugees from climate impacted
lands, increased asthma cases, and sea level rise, which could inundate some heavily
populated areas, roadways, and thoroughfares in Marin; and
WHEREAS, leading climate scientists have indicated that further delay in
significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions will rapidly push humanity past the point
where disastrous consequences can be avoided; and
WHEREAS, numerous governmental and non-governmental bodies across the nation
and the world, including the City of San Rafael, have already adopted climate action plans to
immediately and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also stopping them entirely
within 25 years; and
WHEREAS, the youth of San Rafael have brought the San Rafael City Council a
Youth Climate Report Card highlighting the successes the City is currently achieving, areas
for improvement, and further actions that would be necessary to protect our future; and
WHEREAS, the youth of San Rafael have indicated a willingness to work with the
City of San Rafael on such actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES
RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: that San Rafael City Council
commits to working constructively, using ingenuity, innovation, and determination to update
the current Climate Change Action Plan in order to protect our community and future
generations from the risk of climate destruction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that a mechanism will be created for the ongoing
inclusion of young people in the process of creating and executing climate related policies
and actions.
I, Esther C. Beirne, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of San Rafael, held on Monday, April 17, 2017, by the following vote, to
wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: Councilmembers: None
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ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk