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056.2019 Support of Paris Climate Agreement 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.: 56, 2019 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. George Ferone WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier 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 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: I. 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; 3. 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, 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 1 lth day of February, 2019 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Switzer, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mrs. Atherden NOES: None ABSENT: None