The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About19-33 Climate Action Plan Resolution ,,, 11• City of South Bend s.Po` d=_ (574) 235-9321 ff J] \: Fax(574) 235-9173 .I~ 1'llD 574 235-5567 PEACE Common Council _� http://www.southbendin.gov m,'? 441 County-City Building • 227 \X'.Jefferson Blvd South Bend' Indiana 46601 •1865 ,,/•'' Filed in Clerk's Office Tim Scott APR 17 2019 President April 17, 2019 KA ER EMAH FOWLER Karen White CITY CLERK,SOUTH BEND,IN Vice-President Dear Members of the South Bend Common Council: John Voorde Chairperson,Committee For your consideration at our next Council Meeting on Monday, April 22, 2019 of the Whole which coincides with the celebration of Earth Day globally, I am kindly asking your support for this resolution on climate change and climate action. Tim Scott First District Please note that the resolution is extraordinary in its length and, befitting its Regina Williams Preston importance for our community, it also will be the only item requiring our Second District consideration and vote on our agenda for our upcoming meeting. Regarding the length of the document, it is, indeed intentional for these three reasons: Sharon L. McBride Third District (1)to be educational as to the science of climate change, the impacts, and the global call to action to reduce carbon emissions; Jo M. Broden (2)to recognize the City of South Bend for its various efforts relative to these Fourth District issues; Jake Teshka (3 to provide insight into the process that brought us to this point, and to thereby, Fifth District model pathways that might be instructive and undertaken by other Indiana cities, communities in the Midwest, or across the nation. Oliver Davis Sixth District As the resolution sets us collectively as a City and community on a robust forward Gavin Ferlic path of creating a climate action plan with aggressive, but achievable greenhouse At Large gas reduction goals, our actions will support the development of a livable, sustainable City with a high quality of life, and improve our resilience in face of John Voorde climate change. At Large Karen White Finally, this resolution has been a truly collaborative effort. Several individuals, At Large organizations and academic institutions have been dedicated partners, including (but not limited to): Dr. Phil Sakimoto, Dr. Laura Dassow Walls, students from the University of Notre Dame's Sustainability Principles and Practices class of 2017,Tai Verbrugge,Jackie Brebeck,Julia McKenna, Velshonna Luckey, The Robinson Community Learning Center Climate Change Club,Josh Crudup, Tyler Newsome, Jim Poyser, Dr. Alan Hamlet, Grace Coman, Matthew Peterson, Dr. Rachel Novik, Maddie McGuire,Todd Johnson, Climate Champions, former South Bend Council Member Randy Kelly, Graham Sparks, Kareemah Fowler, Ellie Navarro,Jennifer Coffman, Bianca Tirado, Good Shepard Montessori (with special thanks to Dan Driscoll and in memory of Felicia Driscoll), the University of Notre Dame,the Green r/p �ptITN g��_ City of South Bend (574) 235-9321 A = Fax(574)235-9173 U 2' � TDD (574) 235-5567 PEACE Common Council . http://www.southbendin.gov r �� 441 County-City Building • 227 W.Jefferson Blvd ^ South Bend,Indiana 46601 I865 Ribbon Commission, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Director of Public Works Eric Horvath and the Office of Sustainability Director Therese Dorau. We are indebted as a community for your leadership. Sincerely, & i * . Broden Jake Teshka Karen L. White, Vice President South Bend Common Council South Bend Common Council South Bend Common Council District 4 District 5 At-Large Member Chair, Public Health &Safety Chair, Utilities Chair, Personnel & Finance Filed in Clerk's Office BILL NO. 19-33 APR 17 2019 RESOLUTION NO. KAREEMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK,SOUTH BEND,IN A RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL CONCERNING CLIMATE RECOVERY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEVELOP A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AIMED AT GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS FOR THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND AND TO SUPPORT OTHER CLIMATE RELATED INITIATIVES. WHEREAS, scientific consensus concludes that it is extremely likely that the dominant cause of ongoing climate change is the emission of heat-trapping gases by human actions, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels; and the more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere, the warmer our planet gets. Per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), carbon has not been this highly concentrated in the atmosphere in the past 800,000 years; in fact, according to NOAA, the last five years, 2014-2018, are the warmest years ever recorded I; and WHEREAS, in 1988,NASA's Dr. James Hanson testified before Congress on the impending perils of climate change, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)was established by the United Nations and the World Meteorological Association, and has since released five climate assessments with each affirming: the planet is getting warmer and humans are causing it through our carbon emissions, and unless we reduce emissions, there are serious environmental consequences in our future. Both the 1997 Kyoto Protocol2 and the 2015 Parisi Agreement challenged nations to reduce greenhouse emissions and thereby, limit climate change, and the 2019 IPCC report just released in January advocates for policies aimed at temperature targets under one point five (1.5) degrees Celsius, and further acknowledged that the impact of even a one point five (1.5) degrees Celsius rise will pose drastic impact on the Earth's ecosystems and inhabitants4; and WHEREAS, climate change already poses risks at the global, state, and local level, impacts evidenced around the world are: changes in precipitation(intensification of both drought and storm effects), ocean acidification, coral reef degradation, loss of species,threats to marine life and biodiversity, rising sea levels threatening food supplies and livelihoods, and forced emigration of coastal populations. In addition, extreme weather events, temperatures, and air pollutants can acutely impact human health. The elderly, young, homeless, and people with chronic diseases, or respiratory illnesses (such as asthma) are particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures contributing to increase hospital visits, health care costs, and mortality. Another 1 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/02/2018-fourth-warmest-year-ever-noaa-nasa- reports/ 2 UNFCCC(1997) Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted at COP3 in Kyoto,Japan on 11 December 1997 https://unfccc.int/resource/bigpicture/#content-the-paris-agreement 4 https://www.ipcc.ch/ A health effect of climate change is the spread of disease such as Lyme and the Zika Virus which are transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes that thrive in hot, humid environments5; and WHEREAS, Indiana and South Bend will certainly share in some of these impacts, already documented or projected effects include, but are not limited to: record breaking heat waves and high humidity(with accompanying increased demand for cooling), reduced water and air quality, decreased agricultural productivity(e.g., of corn and soybean crops); increased heavy rainfall leading to more flooding, shorter winters and delayed fall freeze (e.g., extending the ragweed allergy season), increased invasive species; loss of plant, fish and wildlife habitats6; and WHEREAS, these and other impacts will not be equally distributed; communities that already face socioeconomic and health inequities, whether around the world or here in our community, will be most severely impacted, including youth, senior, people of color, and low-income populations; and WHEREAS, City services, infrastructure, our local economy, the natural environment, public health, and our homes and businesses are endangered by climate change; and Cities have a primary duty and responsibility to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents— both now and in future generations; and WHEREAS, Cities are uniquely empowered to take proactive, resolute, and prompt measures to directly influence activities that have climate impacts, such as energy use in homes and buildings, transportation, and by promoting sustainable development; and WHEREAS,this Council, in February of this year at two joint committee hearings of our Health and Public Safety and our Utilities Committees,were presented with clear and compelling science, public testimony, letters, and petitions by local youth of all ages and other community members,to take immediate, real, and lasting legislative actions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and thus reduce global warming and contribute to the recovery of our planet; and WHEREAS, Climate action provides opportunities for South Bend to improve our air quality, mobility, public health, social equity, energy independence and energy security, and the quality of our natural environment; it also can serve to attract jobs and economic development opportunity and increase long-term competitiveness. Action on climate change supports the development of a livable, sustainable City with a strong economy and high quality of life. Action can also improve resilience in face of climate change and other challenges; and WHEREAS, South Bend has pursued various climate action with Mayor Stephen Luecke having signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2008, convened the Green Ribbon Commission in 2009, and founded the Municipal Energy Office in 2010. In 2014, Mayor Pete Buttigieg created the Office of Sustainability and reconvened the Green Ribbon Commission, an advisory-body of local climate and sustainability experts. The South Bend Common Council, in 5 http://docs.southbendin.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid=279856&row=1&cr=1 6 Purdue Climate Change Research Center's 2019 Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment; https://ag.purdue.edu/indianaclimate/ 2016, unanimously passed the Cleaner Energy Resolution, and then, in 2018 signed on with Mayor Buttigieg to a"Repower Indiana" letter calling for 100% clean energy use by our utility supplier. In 2017, Mayor Pete Buttigieg signed the"We're Still In" letter,joining Climate Mayors world-wide affirming a commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate, despite the United States' formal withdrawal from the talks; and WHEREAS, this and previous Councils have also supported other energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives in the municipal budget, including but not limited to energy and water-efficient facilities, alternative fuel vehicles, reducing waste and paper use, and robust community education and engagement endeavors. The City of South Bend actively influences sustainable behaviors in our community, encouraging biking and walking, supporting mass transit, yard waste and recycling opportunities, and advocating for clean and affordable energy; and WHEREAS, by way of executive authority in April of 2018, Mayor Pete Buttigieg committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and effectively joined South Bend to 9,296 cities representing 814 million people in a pledge to implement policies and to undertake measures to (i) reduce/limit greenhouse emissions, (ii)prepare for the impacts of climate change, (iii) increase access to sustainable energy, and (iv)track progress of these policies and measures in meeting or exceeding the Paris Agreement objectives; and WHEREAS, in keeping with our pledge, our City has already measured and reported both our community and government operation levels of greenhouse gases, we are next poised under this global framework on climate action to set a greenhouse gas reduction goal and create a climate action plan encompassing not only the City of South Bend's operations, but our community as a whole as defined by the geographic limits of our City; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the South Bend Common Council hereby supports the City Administration's current Q2/Q3 2019 initiative to develop a climate action plan that: specifies climate actions most impactful in South Bend, identifies ambitious but achievable greenhouse gas reduction goals customized to South Bend, includes both immediate internal actions and longer-term programs and policies, and outlines appropriate timelines for implementing the specific climate actions and achieving the greenhouse gas reductions; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the South Bend Common Council requests this plan be completed by the Fall of 2019, and the administration's planning process include appropriate stakeholder feedback, consider Council and administration priorities, including but not limited to opportunities for climate action to increase social equity, maximizing benefits and minimizing impacts on individuals and businesses; and consideration of any action through the lens of the "triple bottom line." This approach posits we can slow the pace of climate change in ways that save money, build a better quality of life for our residents, and drive economic growth. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, and to this end of triple net returns, the South Bend Common Council will look to support the administration's current and future internal policies, 'https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org and community-focused measures to reduce greenhouse emissions. Accordingly, Council will respond to administration proposals; act to adopt proposed plans, goals,targets and measures as appropriate, including the consideration of a local ordinance or ordinances by the end of 2019; and to ensure adequate funding and staffing for adopted operational climate and community priorities. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,the South Bend Common Council also sets, henceforth, that the administration create an iterative process of setting goals,tracking progress, and reporting. Specifically, Council and the community will be provided annual progress reports on the climate action plan well in advance of the budget planning process. Both the municipal greenhouse gas inventory and the community greenhouse inventory will be updated every 3 years, and the climate action plan updated on a 3-year cycle. THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, Council will seek opportunities to demonstrate climate leadership in Indiana, throughout the Midwest, and in our own community. It will also support the work of the Office of Sustainability and the Administration in doing the same, including collaboration with other governmental entities and agencies, assisting in engaging community stakeholders, and through public-private partnerships. These relationships and activities will be essential to the design, funding, implementation and attainment of our community's climate action plan goals. THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED, that this Council commits itself today, and strongly urges future members of the South Bend Common Council, our Mayor's office, and our citizenry to remain engaged in and committed to climate action. Working together, we can confront what has been considered one of the greatest challenges of our time in proactive and strategic ways that benefit our community, our county, and our world. ,*rib 22 dz y/ 2O/9 Tim Scott, 1st District Council Member Oliver J.Davis,6th District Council Member Regina Williams-Preston,2"d District Council Member John Voorde,At Large Council Member Sharon L.McBride,3'd District Council Member Gavin Ferlic,At Large Council Member Jo M.Broden,4th District Council Member Karen L.White,At Large Council Member Jake Teshka,5th District Council Member Robert J.Palmer,Council Attorney Airommida gel 9' .09/9 Kareemah N.Fowler,CityClerk Pete Butti ie ,Mayor of South Bend,Indiana