MODEL RESOLUTION

Council member________ moved and Council member ________ seconded that:

WHEREAS, the Town/Village/City/County of ______________ (hereinafter "local government") believes that climate change poses a real and increasing threat to our local and global environments and is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels; and

WHEREAS, the effects of climate change will endanger our infrastructure, economy and livelihoods; harm our farms, orchards, and ecological communities, including native fish and wildlife populations; spread invasive species and exotic diseases; reduce drinking water supplies and recreational opportunities; and pose health threats to our citizens; and

WHEREAS, we believe that our response to climate change provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to save money, and to build livable, energy-independent and secure communities, vibrant innovation economies, healthy and safe schools, and resilient infrastructures; and

WHEREAS, we believe the scale of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required for climate stabilization will require sustained and substantial efforts; and

WHEREAS, we believe that even if emissions were dramatically reduced today, communities would still be required to adapt to the effects of climate change for decades to come,

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that Town/Village/City/County of ______________ , in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate, adopts the New York State Climate Smart Communities Pledge, which comprises the following ten elements:

  1. Pledge to be a Climate Smart Community.
  2. Set goals, inventory emissions, plan for climate action.
  3. Decrease community energy use.
  4. Increase community use of renewable energy.
  5. Realize benefits of recycling and other climate-smart solid waste management practices.
  6. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of climate-smart land-use tools.
  7. Enhance community resilience and prepare for the effects of climate change.
  8. Support development of a green innovation economy.
  9. Inform and inspire the public.
  10. Commit to an evolving process of climate action. 

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