3.15 3.15
SUPPORTRParis Climate Agreement—We Are Still In—2-11-19
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUPPORT OF PARIS CLIMATE
AGREEMENT, JOINING OF COALITION TO SIGN "WE ARE STILL IN"
LETTER AND ESTABLISHING CLIMATE ACTION TASK FORCE
RESOLUTION NO.: , 2019
INTRODUCED BY:
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, the Paris Climate Agreement, a landmark agreement within the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was entered into by 196 parties, including
the United States of America, in December 2015 aimed at reducing carbon emissions, slowing
rising global temperatures, and helping countries deal with the effects of climate change, and
WHEREAS, multiple studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals show that 97
percent or more of actively publishing climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over
the past century are extremely likely due to human activities, and
WHEREAS, climate change has been widely recognized by government, business,
academic, and other community leaders as a worldwide threat with the potential to harm the
economy, safety, public health, and quality of life of communities, and
WHEREAS,the United States formally withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement June
1, 2017, and
WHEREAS, municipalities across the nation are voluntarily taking leadership roles to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, and prepare
to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change to improve air quality, protect public health
and safety and promote community and economic resiliency for future generations, and
WHEREAS, recent studies indicate the effects of climate change are occurring
significantly faster than previously thought, and
WHEREAS, the "We Are Still In" coalition consists of more than 3600 mayors,
governors, college and university leaders, businesses and investors, county executives, state
attorneys general and religious institutions who are committed to meeting the goals established
in the Paris Climate Agreement and are signing an open letter to the international community
stating their continued support of the Paris Climate Agreement by remaining actively engaged
with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming below two degrees
Celsius and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit security,
prosperity and health, and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is to hold the increase in the global
average temperature to well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and
WHEREAS, as part of the Paris Climate Agreement, the United States of America
pledged to cut emissions between 26 and 28 percent compared with 2005 levels by 2025, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury has implemented a variety of actions to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and promote community resiliency, including but not limited to solar
panels on municipal buildings, LED lighting in municipal buildings and the 118 decorative street
lights, green spaces, creation of Clean Energy Committee, certified as NYSERDA Clean Energy
Community and awarded $50,000, two electric vehicles, installation of two Town electric
vehicle charging stations and solarization campaign, and
WHEREAS, the Town intends to work with other local governments to coordinate and
enhance regional climate efforts by sharing subject matter experts, resources, tools, and
collaborate on grant and funding opportunities, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury affirms that climate change is a paramount
challenge with far-reaching consequences for our economy, environment, public health and
safety, and
f
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board affirms that climate change is occurring, has
accelerated due to human activity, and there are measures that can be taken to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and
WHEREAS, based on this understanding, the Town Board wishes to establish a Climate
Action Task Force which will also serve as the Climate Smart Communities Task Force working
to develop a long range plan and become a certified New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Community and uphold the Town's commitment to
promote environmental sustainability and resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby:
1. Affirms the principles and supports the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement in
committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing community
resiliency to climate change;
2. Supports the Town Supervisor in joining the coalition of cities, towns, counties
and other public and private sector partners throughout the nation and sign the
"We Are Still In" open letter to work together to advance action and ensure the
U.S. remains a global leader to reduce carbon emissions;
I Continues to support policies and programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and other activities that may lead to climate change, where feasible;
4. Establishes a Climate Action Task Force for the purpose of developing a climate
action plan, pledging to move towards the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Communities certification thereby
addressing the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases,to continue to enhance our
economic and environmental sustainability and build a climate resilient
community;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
r
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Town Board and/or Town Clerk to take such other and further actions as may be necessary to
effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 11"' day of February, 2019 by the following vote:
AYES
NOES
ABSENT: