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will be most severely impacted, including youth, senior, people of color, and low-income
<br /> populations; and
<br /> WHEREAS, City services, infrastructure, our local economy, the natural environment, public
<br /> health, and our homes and businesses are endangered by climate change; and Cities have a
<br /> primary duty and responsibility to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents—
<br /> both now and in future generations; and
<br /> WHEREAS, Cities are uniquely empowered to take proactive, resolute, and prompt measures to
<br /> directly influence activities that have climate impacts, such as energy use in homes and
<br /> buildings,transportation, and by promoting sustainable development; and
<br /> WHEREAS,this Council, in February of this year at two joint committee hearings of our Health
<br /> and Public Safety and our Utilities Committees, were presented with clear and compelling
<br /> science, public testimony, letters, and petitions by local youth of all ages and other community
<br /> members, to take immediate, real, and lasting legislative actions to reduce emissions of
<br /> greenhouse gases and thus reduce global warming and contribute to the recovery of our planet;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS, Climate action provides opportunities for South Bend to improve our air quality,
<br /> mobility, public health, social equity, energy independence and energy security, and the quality
<br /> of our natural environment; it also can serve to attract jobs and economic development
<br /> opportunity and increase long-term competitiveness. Action on climate change supports the
<br /> development of a livable, sustainable City with a strong economy and high quality of life.
<br /> Action can also improve resilience in face of climate change and other challenges; and
<br /> WHEREAS, South Bend has pursued various climate action with Mayor Stephen Luecke having
<br /> signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2008, convened the Green Ribbon
<br /> Commission in 2009, and founded the Municipal Energy Office in 2010. In 2014, Mayor Pete
<br /> Buttigieg created the Office of Sustainability and reconvened the Green Ribbon Commission, an
<br /> advisory-body of local climate and sustainability experts. The South Bend Common Council, in
<br /> 2016, unanimously passed the Cleaner Energy Resolution, and then, in 2018 signed on with
<br /> Mayor Buttigieg to a"Repower Indiana" letter calling for 100%clean energy use by our utility
<br /> supplier. In 2017, Mayor Pete Buttigieg signed the"We're Still In" letter,joining Climate
<br /> Mayors world-wide affirming a commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate, despite the
<br /> United States' formal withdrawal from the talks; and
<br /> WHEREAS,this and previous Councils have also supported other energy efficiency and
<br /> renewable energy initiatives in the municipal budget, including but not limited to energy and
<br /> water-efficient facilities, alternative fuel vehicles, reducing waste and paper use, and robust
<br /> community education and engagement endeavors. The City of South Bend actively influences
<br /> sustainable behaviors in our community, encouraging biking and walking, supporting mass
<br /> transit, yard waste and recycling opportunities, and advocating for clean and affordable energy;
<br /> and
<br /> WHEREAS, by way of executive authority in April of 2018, Mayor Pete Buttigieg committed to
<br /> the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and effectively joined South Bend to
<br /> 9,296 cities representing 814 million people in a pledge to implement policies and to undertake
<br /> measures to (i) reduce/limit greenhouse emissions, (ii)prepare for the impacts of climate change,
<br /> (iii) increase access to sustainable energy, and (iv)track progress of these policies and measures
<br /> in meeting or exceeding the Paris Agreement objectives; and
<br /> WHEREAS, in keeping with our pledge, our City has already measured and reported both our
<br /> community and government operation levels of greenhouse gases, we are next poised under this
<br /> global framework on climate action to set a greenhouse gas reduction goal and create a climate
<br /> action plan encompassing not only the City of South Bend's operations,but our community as a
<br /> whole as defined by the geographic limits of our City; and
<br /> THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the South Bend Common Council hereby supports the
<br /> City Administration's current Q2/Q3 2019 initiative to develop a climate action plan that:
<br /> https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org
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