HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2019-63 Support for Climate InheritanceRESOLUTION NO. 2019-63
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE INHERITANCE
WHEREAS, the community members of the City of Edina value children and our legacy for future
generations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edina recognizes that climate change is caused by excess greenhouse gases
including carbon dioxide and methane produced as a result of human activity; and
WHEREAS, in October, 2018 the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
issued a special report that stated the impacts of global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and
unprecedented changes in all aspects of society; and
WHEREAS, the effects of climate change include increased flooding, fire, and tornadoes and while
they will impact all communities, the "first and worst" effects will fall on "frontline communities" which are low-
income communities, communities of color, and indigenous people who will experience financial hardship or
health stress due to the impacts of extreme weather such as flooding, severe storms, and extreme
temperatures); and
WHEREAS, these risks are too great for the City of Edina to remain silent; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edina promotes actions that protect future generations from the
consequences of climate change; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota Next Generation Energy Act of 2007 requires the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 80 percent between 2005 and 2050; and
WHEREAS, many major Minnesota businesses, including 3M, General Mills, Best Buy, Aveda,
Cargill,
Tennant Company, Target, Uponor, Clif Bar, and Ben & Jerry's have expressed their support for a transition to a
low carbon economy, including reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions. Some setting their goal to meet
100 percent of their energy needs with clean energy by 2050 or sooner, because they understand the
importance of climate change to their profitability and supply chains; and
WHEREAS, Xcel Energy, Minnesota's largest utility, has already publicly committed to generate
100 percent of its electricity from clean energy by 2050; and
WHEREAS, transformational change must occur at all levels of society, including cities of all sizes,
to address the pending climate crisis.
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street • Edina, Minnesota 55424
www.EdinaMN.gov • 952-927-8861 • Fax 952-826-0390
Dated: Au • 20, 2049
WeldAttest:
NOW, THEREFORE, WE RESOLVE:
I. To ask the State of Minnesota to work with local governments, commerce, industry, and agriculture to
systematically adapt our economy to address climate change on a timeline aligned to support the
achievement of Minnesota state and utilities' carbon reduction commitments, including, but not limited to:
a. Converting all electricity generation to carbon-free or renewable sources;
b. Decarbonizing our economy;
c. Supporting and promoting energy efficiency;
d. Recognizing the impact of economic changes on people and communities, helping mitigate the
negative impact especially on vulnerable individuals and frontline communities, and ensuring an
equitable distribution of the benefits;
e. Aligning our land stewardship policies, including urban and rural land use, to maximize carbon
recapture and promote soil health; and
f. Supporting a system to assist cities in creating their own climate action plans, which include
consideration of the threat of climate change to frontline communities, and for measuring and
reporting progress on these plans.
2. We ask the Federal Government to promote systematic changes to the United States economy that
address climate change, including, but not limited to:
a. Supporting and coordinating the efforts of States to address climate change;
b. Converting all electricity generation to carbon-free or renewable sources;
c. Decarbonizing our economy;
d. Supporting and promoting energy efficiency;
e. Recognizing the impact of economic changes on people and communities, helping mitigate the
negative impact especially on vulnerable individuals and frontline communities, ensuring an equitable
distribution of the benefits, and thus securing for all people of the United States for generations to
come:
i. clean air and water;
ii. climate and community resiliency;
iii. healthy food;
iv. access to nature;
v. and a sustainable environment; and
f. Aligning our land stewardship policies, including urban and rural land use, to maximize carbon
recapture and promote soil health and
g. Creating a system for measuring and reporting progress on these goals.
Sharon Allison, City Clerk James B. Hovland, Mayor
STATE OF MINNESOTA)
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) SS
CITY OF EDINA
CERTIFICATE OF CITY CLERK
I, the undersigned duly appointed and acting City Clerk for the City of Edina do hereby certify that the attached and
foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Edina City Council at its Regular Meeting of August 20, 2019, and as
recorded in the Minutes of said Regular Meeting.
WITNESS my hand and seal of said City this 20th day of August, 2019.
City Clerk