Resolution - 2007-14RESOLUTION NO. 2007-14
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE UNITED
STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYOR'S CLIMATE
PROTECTION AGREEMENT TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE
GASES
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has previously adopted strong
policy resolutions calling for cities, communities and the federal government to
take actions to reduce global warming pollution; and
WHEREAS, the Inter -Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the international
community's most respected assemblage of scientists, is clear that there is no
longer any credible doubt that climate disruption is a reality and that human
activities are largely responsible for increasing concentrations of global warming
pollution; and
WHEREAS, recent, well -documented impacts of climate disruption include average global sea
level increases of four to eight inches during the 20th century; a 40%
decline in Arctic sea -ice thickness; and nine of the ten hottest years on record
occurring in the past decade; and
WHEREAS, climate disruption of the magnitude now predicted by the
scientific community will cause extremely costly disruption of human and natural
systems throughout the world including: increased risk of floods or droughts; sea -
level rises that interact with coastal storms to erode beaches, inundate land, and
damage structures; more frequent and extreme heat waves, more frequent and
greater concentrations of smog; and
WHEREAS, on February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to address
climate disruption, entered into force in the 141 countries that have ratified it to
date; 38 of those countries are now legally required to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions on average 5.2 percent below 1990 levels by 2012; and
WHEREAS, the United States of America, with less than five percent of the world's
population, is responsible for producing approximately 25% of the world's global
warming pollutants yet is not a party to the Kyoto Protocol; and
WHEREAS, the Kyoto Protocol emissions reduction target for the U.S., had it ratified the
treaty, would have been 7% below 1990 levels by 2012; and
WHEREAS, many leading US companies that have adopted greenhouse gas reduction
programs to demonstrate corporate social responsibility have also publicly
expressed preference for the US to adopt precise and mandatory emissions targets
and timetables as a means by which to remain competitive in the international
marketplace, to mitigate financial risk and to promote sound investment
decisions; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments throughout the United States are adopting emission
reduction targets and programs and that this leadership is bipartisan, coming from
Republican and Democratic governors and mayors alike; and
• WHEREAS, many cities throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing global
warming
pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits
such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements,
reduced traffic congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic
development and job creation through energy conservation and new energy
technologies; and
•
•
The City Council of the City of West Covina does resolve as follows:
A. We urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to
meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target of reducing global warming pollution levels to 7%
below 1990 levels by 2012, including efforts to: reduce the United States' dependence on
fossil fuels and accelerate the development of clean, economical energy resources and
fuel -efficient technologies such as conservation, methane recovery for energy generation,
wind and solar energy, fuel cells, efficient motor vehicles, and biofuels;
B. We urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan Climate Stewardship Act sponsored by
Senators McCain and Lieberman and Representatives Gilchrist and Oliver, which would
create a flexible, market -based system of tradable allowances among emitting industries;
and
C. We will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming
pollution by taking actions in our own operations such as: Reducing emissions in City
operations and vehicles by buying energy efficient and low emission vehicles and
equipment;
D. Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs,
incentives for carpooling and public transit;
E. Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting
city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve
energy and save money;
F. Continue an active recycling education program for the community;
G. Promote healthy urban forests and tree planting at City parks and street ways;
H. Help educate the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations,
business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this day 201h day of MARCH 2O07.
May Michael Touhey
AT ST:
i
City Clerk Laurie Carrico
I, LAURIE CARRICO, CITY CLERK of the City of West Covina, California, do hereby certify
that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of West Covina,
California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 20`h day of March 2007, by the following vote
of the City Council:
AYES: Herfert, Hernandez, lane, Sanderson, Touhey
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Clerk L rie Carrico
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
mot/ R✓ ��asv
C ty Attoi ey Arnol Alvarez-Glasman