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HomeMy WebLinkAbout032-R-22 Declaring A Climate Emergency And An Immediate Mobilization Effort To Restore Climate Stability4/13/2022 32-R-22 A RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND AN IMMEDIATE MOBILIZATION EFFORT TO RESTORE CLIMATE STABILITY WHEREAS, the City of Evanston and communities across the State of Illinois are already experiencing the effects of global climate disruption; and WHEREAS, trends in precipitation and temperature extremes are likely to continue unlessthere are ambitious actions to curb greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, in October 2018, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), the largest collaborative and consensus -based effort among the world's scientific community, conservatively estimated that global net greenhouse gas emissions must reach netzero no later than 2050 in order to avoid a dangerous increase in global temperatures that result in long-lasting and/or catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts; and WHEREAS, the IPCC warned on April 4, 2022, that "limiting warming to around 1.5°C (2.7°F) requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030," while methane must be reduced by a third, and that "even if we do this, it isalmost inevitable that we will temporarily exceed this temperature threshold"; and WHEREAS, the National Climate and Health Assessment of the U.S. Global Climate Change Research Program identified climate change as a significant threat to the health of the people of the United States; and Page 1 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 32-R-22 WHEREAS, the cost of climate change is increasing dramatically, with 20 weather/climate disaster events in the United States in 2021 resulting in losses exceeding $1 billion each, compared with the 1980-2021 annual average of 7.4 events; and WHEREAS, global warming is projected to cause the extinction of over one-third of Earth's animal and plant species by 2050 if current greenhouse gas emissions trajectories continue; and WHEREAS, according to the 2021 Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change in Illinois: (1) over the past 120 years, the average daily temperature in Illinois has increased by 1-20F in most areas, mean precipitation has increased by 5-20%, and the number of 2-inch rain days has increased by 40%; (2) the climate of Illinois is expected to continue changing over this century, with significant impacts on water resources, agriculture, human health, and the health of plants and animals; (3) projected changes include warming of 4-9°F, with large increases in extreme high temperatures and increasingly severe summer droughts; (4) the risk of severe heat - related illnesses, such as heat stroke, will increase; (5) Illinois is expected to see an overall increase in precipitation, with increases in both heavy rains and the length of dry spells; (6) increased intensities of rainfall events are expected to exacerbate stresses on aging urban drainage systems and increase the incidence of combined sewer outflows (CSOs), which affect water quality of streams, rivers, and Lake Michigan; (7) heavy precipitation events will cause more flooding and increased risk of waterborne infectious diseases, mold exposure, injuries, and emotional distress; (8) rising temperatures and increasing precipitation are already creating conditions that permit VA Page 2 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 32-R-22 mosquitoes and ticks to survive in previously unsuitable locations; the biting season will become longer, and the risk of vector -borne diseases will increase; (9) levels of mold, pollen, and ozone pollution are expected to increase, and the pollen season will lengthen, resulting in more severe respiratory allergies and more frequent asthma attacks; (10) those with already high rates of chronic disease, poor housing, and barriers to accessing health care and clean air are expected to experience more severe health impacts from climate change than the population of Illinois overall; and WHEREAS, lakefront erosion is being accelerated by a combination of warming temperatures, increased precipitation, and extreme storms; WHEREAS, climate change has significant impacts on all community members, but disproportionately impacts those who are most vulnerable, in particular those who are currently living in poverty with high rates of chronic disease, poor housing, barriers to healthcare access, unhealthy community design, and polluted air (13.3% of Evanston's population), the young (20.2%), and the elderly (15.6%); and WHEREAS, the climate crisis is contributing to a mental health crisis among youth, 60% of whom report that they suffer from climate anxiety; and WHEREAS, the City of Evanston has a history of climate action and a track record of making consistent reductions in carbon emissions, beginning in 2006 when Mayor Lorraine Morton signed the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, followed by the 2008 Evanston Climate Action Plan and the 2018 Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP), which calls for 80% reduction in emissions by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050; and WHEREAS, climate emergency declarations have been adopted in 2,071 -3- Page 3 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 32-R-22 jurisdictions in 38 countries, representing over 1 billion people; and WHEREAS, a January 2021 United Nations survey of 1.2 million people in 50 countries found that 64% of respondents said that climate change is an emergency; and WHEREAS, the City of Evanston recognizes and acknowledges that the impacts of climate change pose a life -altering threat to our city and the region, now and increasingly in the future,as well as the state, our nation, and all life on the planet, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION 1: The City Council hereby adopts the foregoing recitals as its findings, as if fully set forth herein. SECTION 2: The City of Evanston declares a climate emergency and joins the global climate mobilization effort to stabilize Earth's atmosphere, slow and halt global temperature increases, and reverse global warming, to ensure a just transition and a sustainable, resilient, and healthy future for generations to come. SECTION 3: The City of Evanston adopts this Climate Emergency Resolution as a declaration of our renewed commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve equitable adaptation and community resilience at speed and scale. SECTION 4: The City of Evanston recognizes that community partnerships that are diverse, inclusive, and promote equity are essential to support environmental, economic, and racial justice, and commits to working with all partners to ensure that efforts respect all community members. ME Page 6 of 1 pge 4 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 32-R-22 SECTION 5: The City of Evanston commits to working with community partners to educate residents and businesses about the climate emergency and the necessity of collaborative action to implement solutions and to catalyze a just transition at the local, regional, and state levels. SECTION 6: The City Council adopts implementation of the Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP) as a City Council goal, and commits to regularly reviewing progress and revising targets to reflect the most recent science, data, and best practices. SECTION 7: The City Council commits to developing and implementing annual CARP Action Agendas, beginning with the 2022 CARP Action Agenda attached hereto as Exhibit A. SECTION 8: The City Manager shall designate a staff member to coordinate implementation of the Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP) and report to City Council, the Environment Board, and Evanston residents on not less than a semi-annual basis; reports shall show progress made in achieving CARP goals and shall identify additional actions, policies, and programs that the City of Evanston can undertake to reduce and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate and to meet CARP goals; and SECTION 9: The City Council directs City staff to ensure that they prioritize decisions and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions over those that do not, including emissions from all residences, businesses, and other community buildings and activities as well as the City's own buildings and activities. -5- Page 5 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 32-R-22 SECTION 10: That this Resolution 32-R-22 shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in the manner provided by law. lsaAzdh &jj Daniel Biss, Mayor Attest: Approved as to form: Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk Nicholas E. Cummings, Corporation Counsel Adopted: April 25 , 2022 Qov Page 6 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 32-R-22 *A :11-1 Y r_1 Page 9 of loge 7 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662felf15 Exhibit A 2022 CARP Action Agenda CARP Focus Area Proposed Action Target date Municipal Endorse aggressive zero emissions strategies (ZES) for municipal Done Operations operations. March 28 Provide sufficient funds for ongoing ZES implementation in 2023 budget. December Issue Request for Proposals for the City of Evanston Fleet Electrification May and Rightsizing Roadmap Issue Request for Proposals for Rooftop Solar Installation and Power June Purchase Agreement at Robert Crown Community Center Building Adopt ICC Model Code (Building, Residential, Fire, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, April Efficiency Property Maintenance, National Electric) and Illinois Code (Plumbing, Accessibility, Elevator). Adopt 2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code and update Green Building November Ordinance. Include amendments to support bird -friendly construction and increased EV deployment. Renewable Adopt Appendix AT Solar -Ready Provisions as part of Residential Code November Energy adoption. Adopt Appendix C, Solar -Ready Zone, as part of commercial provisions of 2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Develop Accessible Solar Program for low-income residential solar August installations ($500,000 in Federal FY22 appropriations bill) Transportation & Approve staff request for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Done Mobility Sustainability and Equity funds for Chicago Avenue multi -modal corridor March 28 improvements. (23-R-22) Adopt amendment to Illinois Conservation Code to support increased EV November deployment. Zero Waste Approve Commercial Franchise Agreement, setting the stage for July implementation of requirements such as universal recycling. Provide textile recycling option for residential units. April 25 Determine mechanism for reducing use of single -use bags. September Urban Canopy & Update tree preservation ordinance to expand protection of private trees. November Green Space Green Hydraulic and hydrologic study is underway as foundation for development December Infrastructure of updated Stormwater Master Plan in line with CARP goals. Page 8 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 Health Impacts of Extreme Heat Resilience Allocate ARPA funds to support phased lead pipe replacement March and late Regulations & 2022 Vulnerable Populations Determine funding source, develop RFP, and retain consultant for the first December year of a two-year environmental equity investigation. Determine funding level and allocate ARPA funds to support the One Stop June Shop Affordable Housing Retrofit Program Emergency Preparedness & Management Education, Adopt resolution declaring Climate Emergency. April 25 Outreach, & Community Networks Determine funding source and develop a dashboard for tracking and October reporting status of CARP implementation. Implementation, Assure adequate funding for CARP implementation in 2023 budget. December Accountability, & Partnerships Assure that CARP is adequately addressed in the strategic and April — comprehensive plans to be developed beginning in 2022. December Page 9 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15 Apri 1 2022 A call for Evanston City Council to declare a climate emergency We, the undersigned, urge members of the Evanston City Council to join hundreds of other cities and towns worldwide in Declaring a Climate Emergency. Why now? We recognize that City staff have begun implementing parts of the Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP) adopted by City Council in 2018. But achieving the goals of that plan requires renewed commitment, adequate resources, and far more aggressive action than we've seen so far. Meanwhile, the climate forecast grows ever more dire. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said earlier this year, the latest reports from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) are "a damning indictment of failed climate leadership" What will a climate emergency resolution accomplish? The proposed resolution will demonstrate to the Evanston community, to City staff, and to neighboring communities that City leaders recognize that climate change is an ever -worsening crisis that requires aggressive and unrelenting action and an investment that matches the scale of the threat it poses. Beyond the resolution We further urge that City Council • hold the City Manager responsible for implementing CARP, including requesting adequate resources to ensure that CARP goals are achieved on schedule, that the Office of Sustainability is adequately staffed and funded, and that the entire Evanston community is engaged in the process of implementation; • require that every staff report include a section on "Carbon/Climate Impact" that describes how actions and decisions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the City, and estimates the amount by which they will do so; and a section on "Climate Equity Impact" that describes how the approval of an action or decision will or will not promote climate resiliency, environmental equity, and inclusiveness. We trust that you — as our community leaders who respect science, value equity, and are devoted to our collective economic, social, and environmental well-being — will once again demonstrate Evanston's leadership in adopting the resolution that will come before City Council on April 25 as a declaration of renewed commitment to forward -looking action. Evanston Environment Board Environmental Justice Evanston Citizens' Greener Evanston E-Town Sunrise District 65 Climate Action Team League of Women Voters of Evanston Evanston Environmental Association Democratic Party of Evanston Climate Action Team Citizens Climate Lobby The Climate Reality Project: Chicago Metro Chapter 350.org Chicago Chapter Beth Emet Dayenu Circle Page 10 of 10 Doc ID: 89d95372ca21a88d7c7e45de8e6b363662fe1f15