HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/21/2017 - STAFF REPORTS - 1.N. A.��P A LAA sp4
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DATE: June 21, 2017 CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS' COMMITMENT TO MEET OR EXCEED GOALS
ESTABLISHED IN THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Office of the City Manager
SUMMARY
At the City Council meeting of June 7, 2017, Councilmember Geoff Kors requested Staff
place an item on the next Council agenda to consider support for the Paris Climate
Agreement. A copy of Councilmember Kors' draft resolution is attached.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Discuss and direct staff as appropriate.
DAVID H. READY
City Manager
Attachments:
1. Resolution
ITEM NO. 1 " N
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AFFIRMING THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS' COMMITMENT TO MEET OR EXCEED
GOALS ESTABLISHED IN THE PARIS CLIMATE
AGREEMENT.
WHEREAS, City of Palm Springs wishes to join forces with other cities, states,
mayors, governors, college and university leaders, businesses and investors for the first
time to declare that the City of Palm Springs will continue to support climate action to
meet the Paris Agreement; and
WHEREAS, In December 2015 in Paris, world leaders signed the first global
commitment to fight climate change. The landmark agreement succeeded where past
attempts failed because it allowed each country to set its own emission reduction
targets and adopt its own strategies for reaching them. In addition, nations — inspired by
the actions of local and regional governments, along with businesses — came to
recognize that fighting climate change brings significant economic and public health
benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Trump Administration's announcement undermines a key pillar
in the fight against climate change and damages the world's ability to avoid the most
dangerous and costly effects of climate change. Importantly, it is also out of step with
what is happening in the United States; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, it is local and state governments, along with
businesses, that are primarily responsible for the dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas
emissions in recent years. Actions by each group will multiply and accelerate in the
years ahead, no matter what policies Washington may adopt; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities,
colleges and universities, businesses and investors, representing a sizeable percentage
of the U.S. economy will pursue ambitious climate goals, working together to take
forceful action and to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing
emissions. It is imperative that the world know that in the United States, the actors that
will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city
halls, state capitals, colleges and universities, investors and businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL DETERMINES, RESOLVES AND
APPROVES AS FOLLOWS:
02
Resolution No. _
Page 2
1) That the City of Palm Springs will continue to support climate action to meet the
Paris Climate Agreement; and
2) That the City of Palm Springs will remain actively engaged with the international
community as part of the global effort to hold warming well below 20C and to
accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security,
prosperity, and health.
Adopted this 21st day of June, 2017.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
David H. Ready
City Manager
ATTEST:
Kathleen D. Hart, MMC
Interim City Clerk
03
Resolution No.
Page 3
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, KATHLEEN D. HART, Interim City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify
that Resolution No. is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on June 21, 2017, by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Kathleen D. Hart, Interim City Clerk
City of Palm Springs, California
04
Climate
Action PS
Ourgoak To stop climate change
Palm Springs Resolution to Meet or Exceed Paris Climate Goals
City Council Meeting 6.21.17
Climate change represents a threat to our quality of life and the well being of future
generations.
Increasing temperatures have already resulted in massive storms, wildfires, deeper
droughts, ocean acidification, rising sea level and forest death. In California alone,
there are now more dead trees than there are people. Recent reports from Marin
predict that rising sea levels will destroy property in California cities within 15 years.
Americans get it. Multiple surveys show that the majority of Americans in every state
believe climate change is human caused and want our leaders to take action to solve
the problem. By a more than 5 to 1 margin voters say the U.S should participate in the
Paris Agreement. This includes half of Trump voters. (Yale Climate Opinion)
Despite popular support for the 2015 Paris climate goals, Trump has withdrawn the
US from this worldwide accord. This reckless action cannot be allowed to stop our
progress to a safer, cleaner, renewable energy economy.
In the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities, colleges, businesses and
investors must now take forceful action to ensure the US remains the global leader in
reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
As of June 5`h, more than 1000 US entities have signed a pledge to support the Paris
climate goals. These include:
States and cities whose leaders signed represent about 120 million people. The
states are California, Connecticut,New York,North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode
Island, Virginia, Washington and Hawaii. Among the cities and counties are
New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Pittsburgh and Dubuque, Iowa.
Major businesses include: Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp.,
Google, Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc. are among the largest businesses and
investors on the list. They account for total annual revenue of$1.4 trillion,
organizers said.
It's time for Palm Springs to step up and endorse this agreement. Please vote yes on
Geoff Kors resolution to meet or exceed Paris Climate Goals. We have no time to waste.
Ellen Lockert
ealockert@climateactionps.com
www.climateactionps.co m
P.O. Box 5086, Palm Springs, CA 92263