IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION expressing support for the goals and commitments espoused in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 19515, June 19, 2017
INTRODUCED BY Crystal Williams and Scott Burnett, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, consensus exists among the world's leading climate scientists that global warming caused by emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities is among the most significant problems facing the world today; and,
WHEREAS, documented impacts of global warming include, but are not limited to, increased occurrences of extreme weather events (e.g. droughts and floods), adverse impacts on ecosystems, shifting demographic patterns, and economic value chains; and,
WHEREAS, responding to the climate change provides communities an opportunity to take advantage of the range of products, services, and know-how that transitioning to a climate-compatible future brings; and,
WHEREAS, the Paris Agreement resulted in a commitment from almost every nation to take action and enact programs to limit global temperature increase to less than two degrees Celsius, with an expectation that this goal would be reduced to one and one-half degrees in the future; and,
WHEREAS, nearly 200 U.S. mayors, representing over 50 million Americans, are working together to strengthen local efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emission and supporting efforts for binding federal and global-level policy making; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County has taken steps, through the installation of a solar photovoltaic electric generating system at the Downtown Kansas City Courthouse, to support the development of renewable technologies and positive impacts on our environment; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County joins with the Climate Mayors Network to mutually strengthen grassroots-level, and community-led activity on undertaking climate action by cleaning our energy sources, making infrastructure efficient, and growing our economy through investing in the sectors that enable a climate-compatible future; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby indicates its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature joins other U.S. communities in the Climate Mayors Network in adopting and supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature commits to exploring the potential benefits and costs of adopting policies and programs that promote the long-term goal of greenhouse gas emissions reduction while maximizing economic and social co-benefits of such action.
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. 19515 of June 19, 2017, was duly passed on June 19, 2017 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________5__________ Nays _________3__________
Abstaining _______0________ Absent ________1__________
______________________ _____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature