HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 193 CC RESO RESOLUTION NO. 2017-193
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK,
CALIFORNIA, STATING ITS OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the Paris Climate Accord, known as the "Paris Agreement" by the United
Nations, is an historic international agreement reached in 2015 aimed at reducing carbon
emissions, slowing rising global temperatures and helping countries deal with the effects of
climate change.
WHEREAS, President Donald Trump announced the United States will withdraw from
the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2015 landmark international accord at combating climate
change;
WHEREAS, under the terms of the agreement, signatories committed to holding the
increase in the global average temperature to well below 2° C above pre-industrial levels and
pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5° C above pre-industrial levels;
WHEREAS, the deal requires countries to set their own targets for reducing emissions by
2020. The Obama administration committed the U.S. to reducing carbon emissions by 26 to 28
percent by 2025;
WHEREAS, the agreement also established a $100 billion fund to help vulnerable
countries deal with the effects of climate change and these countries are in grave need of this
money in order to combat climate change;
WHEREAS, the Obama administration committed the U.S. to the agreement without
seeking ratification in the Senate, meaning Mr. Trump can withdraw support unilaterally, which
he has. The U.S. joins Nicaragua and Syria as the only countries not participating in the
agreement;
WHEREAS, the process of the U.S. withdrawing from the agreement could take at least
three years, and scientists warn such a decision could have dire consequences for the planet;
WHEREAS, the Associated Press recently asked two dozen climate scientists what would
happen if the U.S. reneges on its commitments under the Paris Agreement. They said that doing
so would make it much more difficult to prevent crossing a dangerous threshold in global
temperatures;
WHEREAS,the U.S. could contribute to an increase of as much as 0.3 degrees Celsius in
global temperatures by end of the century if it abandons the deal, according to one simulation;
WHEREAS, withdrawing from the deal could result in an additional 3 billion tons of
carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each year, speeding up the rate of rising sea
levels and melting ice sheets creating dangerous and life threatening conditions;
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WHEREAS, the community of Baldwin Park contains a population critically vulnerable
to environmental impacts caused by climate change due to its socioeconomic status and
geographic location next to an interstate Freeway; and
WHEREAS, the City of Baldwin Park takes sharp exception to President Trump's
unilateral action to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement because of the environmental
effects on its community with the effects of climate change being the most deleterious.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park opposes the withdrawal
by President Donald Trump of the United States from the 2015 landmark international accord
combating climate change, the Paris Climate Agreement.
SECTION 2. That the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement
would have deleterious effects and scientists warn such a decision could have dire consequences
for the planet. The withdrawal would especially have a deleterious impact on the vulnerable
community of Baldwin Park because of its socioeconomic status and geographic location.
SECTION 3. That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, and RESOLVED this 7`"day of June, 2017.
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OR
ATTEST:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ss.
CITY OF BALDWIN PARK
I, Alejandra Avila, City Clerk of the City of Baldwin Park, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly approved and adopted by the City Council of the
City of Baldwin Park at its regular meeting of the 7th day of June, 2017,by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Baca, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia
Alejandra Avila
CITY CLERK
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