HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2006-033WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. zoos — 223
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assi ned to:
Originator:
Laurie C -S
5/8/2006
5/9/2006
Council
Division Head.'
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Purchasin /Bud et:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT.•
Resolution to participate in Counties and Cities for Climate Campaign
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( X ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARYSTATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide file language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of Cite action.)
COMMITTEE ACTION.,
COUNCIL ACTION:
5/9/2006: Approved 5 -2, Nelson & Crawford
opposed
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res. 2006 -033
Please Note:
Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions
are available for
viewing
and printing
on the County's
website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
Support Climate Protection Campaign
PROPOSED BY: Caskey- Schreiber
SPONSORED BY: Consent
INTRODUCED: May 9. 2006
RESOLUTION NO. 2006 -033
IN SUPPORT OF WHATCOM COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTIES AND
CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN
WHEREAS, scientific consensus has developed that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth's
climate; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 the American Geophysical Union adopted a Statement noting
that human activities are increasingly altering the Earth climate and that natural influences
cannot explain the rapid increase in near - surface temperatures observed during the second
half of the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, at the request of the Administration, the National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) reviewed and declared global warming a real problem caused in part by the
actions of humankind; and
WHEREAS, the 2001 Third Assessment Report from the International Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) and the 2000 U.S. Global Change Research Program's (USGCRP)
First National Assessment indicate that global warming has begun; and
WHEREAS, 162 countries, including the U.S., pledged under the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, energy consumption, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, accounts for
more than 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, local governments influence communities' emissions by exercising key
powers over land use, transportation, construction, waste management, and energy
management; and
WHEREAS, local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
increase energy efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution,
creating jobs, reducing energy expenditures, and saving money for the local government,
its businesses and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the Counties and Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, sponsored by
International Council for Local Environmental Issue -Local Governments for Sustainability
(ICLEI -ILGS) has invited Whatcom County to become a partner in the Campaign.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Whatcom County commits to participate
in the Counties and Cities for Climate Protection Campaign and, as a participant, pledges to
take a leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of
climate change.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Whatcom County will undertake the Counties and
Cities for Climate Protection Program's 5 milestones to reduce both greenhouse gas and air
pollution emissions throughout the community, specifically:
• conduct a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecast to determine the source
and quantity of greenhouse gas emissions in the jurisdiction;
establish a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target;
develop an action plan with both existing and future actions which when
implemented will meet the local greenhouse gas reduction target;
• implement the action plan; and
• monitor to review progress; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that Whatcom County requests assistance from ICLEI-
ILGS's Counties /Cities for Climate Protection Campaign (CCP) as it progresses through the
milestones.
May , 2006.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
W TC� OM�COUNTY, W ASHIN TO
Laurie Caskey - Schreiber, C uncil Chair