IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION in support of the United States’ participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris, France, from November 30 to December 11, 2015.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 18947, October 5, 2015
INTRODUCED BY Scott Burnett, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, climate change poses a real and increasing threat to our local and global environment and is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels; and,
WHEREAS, the solution to the climate crisis presents a moral imperative described eloquently by Pope Francis and is unlike any challenge faced by humans to date; and,
WHEREAS, swift, intelligent, and fair action is immediately needed to protect the planet and future generations; and,
WHEREAS, the effects of climate change will endanger our infrastructure, economy, and livelihoods, harm our farms, orchards, and ecological communities, including native fish and wildlife populations, spread invasive species and exotic diseases, reduce drinking water supplies, and pose health and safety threats to our citizens; and,
WHEREAS, we believe that our response to climate change provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to create new, sustainable, and enduring jobs for our future, save money, and build livable, energy-independent, and secure communities, vibrant innovation economies, healthy and safe schools, and resilient infrastructures; and,
WHEREAS, we believe the scale of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required for climate stabilization will require sustained and substantial efforts; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature urges our United States conference representatives to lead the world in solving the climate crisis by our urgent recognition that we face a potentially catastrophic calamity that will impact all humanity and all life on the planet; and,
WHEREAS, we demand that serious and comprehensive solutions be outlined for all nations to implement, be they major or minor GHS contributors; and,
WHEREAS, we believe that, even if emissions were dramatically reduced today, communities would still be required to adapt to the effects of climate change for decades to come; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby supports the United States’ participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris, France, from November 30 to December 11, 2015.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________ ________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 18947 of October 5, 2015, was duly passed on October 5, 2015 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________6__________ Nays __________0_________
Abstaining _______0________ Absent _________2_________
Excused ______1_________
______________________ _____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature