Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Cover Pageop 4 AGENDA ITEM COVER PAGE File ID: #8854 Resolution Sponsored by: Mayor Francis Suarez, Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, Commissioner Ken Russell, Commissioner Joe Carollo A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZING APRIL 22, 2021 AS EARTH DAY AND COMMITTING TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE LONG- TERM HEALTH OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMY; RECOGNIZING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY; AND ESTABLISHING A CLIMATE ACTION GOAL TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO (0)GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2050. �tzY,°v City of Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive Legislation Miami, FL 33133 r O g % www.miamigov.com Resolution Enactment Number: R-21-0172 File Number: 8854 Final Action Date:4/22/2021 A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZING APRIL 22, 2021 AS EARTH DAY AND COMMITTING TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE LONG- TERM HEALTH OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMY; RECOGNIZING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY; AND ESTABLISHING A CLIMATE ACTION GOAL TO ACHIEVE NET ZERO (0)GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2050. WHEREAS, in April 2016, world leaders from 175 countries recognized the threat of climate change and the urgent need to combat it by signing the Paris Agreement, agreeing to keep the increase in global average temperature to "well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre- industrial levels," and to "pursue efforts to limit the average temperature increase to 1.5 degree Celsius"; and WHEREAS, on February 19, 2021, the United States rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement after withdrawal in 2017; and WHEREAS, the special report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded that carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by forty-five percent (45%) from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero (0) by 2050 in order to stabilize a 1.5 degree Celsius temperature increase to prevent disastrous effects on global climate, ecosystems, and human societies; and WHEREAS, the United States of America is among the world's countries with the largest share of greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions and thus bears an extraordinary responsibility to rapidly take action to reduce GHG emissions; and WHEREAS, any and all efforts possible must be made to limit average global temperature increase to 1.5 - 2 degrees Celsius and cities must play a major role in reaching this goal; and WHEREAS, cities and urban areas are in a unique position to combat climate change because cities and urban areas are responsible for producing 70 percent of climate -changing GHG emissions worldwide; and WHEREAS, South Florida, including the City of Miami ("City"), is especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change with highly likely predicted changes including chronic sea level rise, greater likelihood of stronger and more severe storms contrasted with extended periods of drought, and increased frequency and severity of heat waves, all of which can have negative economic impacts if not addressed and GHG emissions do not decrease; and WHEREAS, by taking active steps to reduce GHG emissions, improve environmental quality, and otherwise mitigate the effects of climate change, cities can improve their quality of life, enhance their economic prosperity, create jobs, and protect the livability of our cities; and WHEREAS, in addition, the City, along with Miami -Dade County ("County") and City of Miami Beach ("Beach"), has a unique partnership referred to as Greater Miami and the Beaches and is implementing Resilient305, a shared resilience strategy to address resilience challenges prioritized through intergovernmental and community collaboration; and WHEREAS, in order to benefit all communities within the County, the County and the City must maintain their commitment to climate action, climate resilience, and sustainability policies that address the specific experiences, vulnerabilities, and needs of the most vulnerable communities by engaging such communities in climate mitigation and climate resilience planning; and WHEREAS, the costs of addressing the climate crisis are far less than the costs of not addressing the climate crisis and solving the crisis will take significant public investment, education, and commitment; and WHEREAS, on November 21, 2019, the City adopted Resolution No. R-19-0477 declaring a Climate Emergency, urging the State of Florida and the United States government to declare a Climate Emergency, requesting regional collaboration on an immediate just transition, and emergency mobilization efforts to restore a safe climate; and WHEREAS, on January 9, 2020, the City was inducted into the C40 Cities, a global network of 95 cities committed to tackling climate change and increasing the economic and environmental well-being of their residents, and in doing so, informally committed to pursuing carbon neutrality; and WHEREAS, the City has championed efforts to keep the environment clean and healthy such as (i) remediation of toxic soils at City parks, (ii) participation in the Tree City USA program, (iii) partnership with Ocean Conservancy on the Shores Forward initiative to improve water quality and reduce marine debris Citywide, (iv) passage of a fertilizer ordinance to reduce nutrient pollution in Biscayne Bay, and (v) collaboration with the Beach, the County, and local non -profits on implementation of Biscayne Bay Task Force recommendations; and WHEREAS, the City is an urban leader in addressing and responding to the actual and measurable impacts of climate change by amending building and land development codes to increase resiliency standards, including without limitation (i) increased open space and landscape requirements, (ii) new electric vehicle parking requirements, (iii) use of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") standards, (iv) streamlined and free permits for solar installations, (v) support for car free transportation options, and (vi) creation of dedicated funding via the Miami Forever General Obligation Bond but will need to pursue further actions to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050; and WHEREAS, the City is developing a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan which includes actions that should be implemented to reduce GHG and further set short-term GHG emissions reduction targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050; and WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing, it is in the best interests of the residents of the City that our leaders recognize the effects of climate change caused by human activity and establish a climate action goal to achieve a net zero (0) GHG emissions by 2050; and WHEREAS, this resolution is being passed on Earth Day in recognition of the City's role in the stewardship of our land, air, and ocean; the positive human and economic benefits of GHG reduction, sustainability, and environmental quality; and the need for collaboration locally and globally, especially with local partners like Miami Beach and Miami -Dade County; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals and findings set forth in the Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The City Commission recognizes April 22, 2021 as Earth Day and commits to protect and enhance the long-term health of the natural environment, community and economy, recognizing the effects of climate change caused by human activity and establishing a climate action goal to achieve net zero (0) GHG emissions by 2050. Section 3. The Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: 1 i ria i "ndez, Cify Attor iey 4/13/2021 Pursuant to the resolution, this item became effective immediately upon adoption by the Commission.