HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-71-01/27/2020 RESOLUTION NO. 2020-71
RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE CRISIS AND
REQUESTING IMMEDIATE AND ACCELERATED ACTION
TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND KEEP GLOBAL
WARMING TO 1.5 DEGREES CELSIUS.
WHEREAS, climate change is an urgent, unfolding crisis that presents a serious threat to
global stability and human existence; and
WHEREAS, in October 2018 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
released the Special Report: Global Warming at 1.5 °C, stating the need to take accelerated and
dedicated action to keep global temperatures from rising, on average no more than 1.5 °C; and
WHEREAS, to stay within the 1.5 °C, the IPCC report indicates that global net human
caused emissions would need to fall 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach "net zero",
offsetting carbon emissions with carbon removal by 2050; and
WHEREAS, failure to stay within the 1.5 °C increase will result, according to the
composite of United Nations climate studies, by the end of the century in the destruction of 50%
of species on Earth, the inability to live on large segments of the Earth due to heat, flooding and
desertification resulting in over 1 billion climate refugees, the collapse of farming, food and
clean water systems, and large scale frequent and overlapping climate disasters making
rebuilding and relocation efforts difficult if not impossible; and
WHEREAS, failure to take decisive action by 2030 will trigger lethal heat feedback loops
with unstoppable moment; and
WHEREAS, we have already seen the devastating consequences of unmitigated climate
change including wild fires, flooding, extreme temperatures, and catastrophic loss of human life
and property; and
WHEREAS, Waterloo and Iowa at large have already experienced the following climate
impacted events including but not limited to flooding, excessive temperature extremes, and
volatile weather patterns leading to the loss of private and public property and threatening the
safety and well-being of our constituents; and
WHEREAS, climate change will continue to impact the basic affordability of necessary
goods including food, housing, healthcare, energy, and transportation, adding additional
pressures on person and families already living in poverty and challenges the possibility of a
bright and stable future for all of Waterloo.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WATERLOO, IOWA, as follows:
1. That the City of Waterloo hereby declares a climate crisis, given that the crisis poses a
serious and urgent threat to the well-being of Waterloo, its inhabitants, and its environment.
2. That the City of Waterloo adopts the IPCC targets of 45% reduction in carbon
emissions by 2030 and reaching"net zero"by 2050.
3. That the City of Waterloo will coordinate its efforts with other local municipalities,
energy utilities, educational institutions, as well as other local, regional, state, and national
governments to accelerate action to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. That City Council asks the Mayor or his designee to work with the appropriate
stakeholders to develop a Climate Action plan.
Resolution 2020-71
Page 2
4a. That the stakeholders, the mayor or designee and at least one, but no more than three
council persons, convene at least quarterly working conferences to develop plans for the
implementation of these targets.
5. That this Climate Action plan shall be presented to the Waterloo City Council and the
public for comment and adoption.
6. That the City Council will work with the Mayor to develop necessary budgetary
considerations that enables urgent climate action in the near term, while ensuring a climate
resilient future for Waterloo in the long term.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 27th day January of
2020.
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Quentin Hart, Mayor
ATTgST:
elley Felchle
City Clerk