HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2018-35COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF KAUA’I
t~01 Ut I C fl No.2018-35
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE COUNTY OF KAUA’I’S COMMITMENT
TO THE PARIS AGREEMENT RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
WHEREAS,on December 12,2015,at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,one hundred
ninety-five (195)countries,almost every nation,committed to reducing greenhouse
gas (GHG)emissions by 2020,adopting adaptation strategies and financing of critical
actions,resulting in the historic Paris Agreement;and
WHEREAS,while United States President Donald J.Trump has withdrawn
the U.S.from the Paris Agreement,states and cities and other local governments
across America have affirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement;and
WHEREAS,on June 6,2017,representatives for all four (4)mayors from the
counties of the State of Hawai’i signed a commitment to achieving the goals
articulated in the Paris Agreement;and
WHEREAS,on June 19,2017,County of Kaua’i Mayor Bernard P.
Carvalho,Jr.,at the Kaua’i Energy Conference,signed a proclamation in support of
the Paris Agreement;and
WHEREAS,during their 2017 and 2018 sessions,the Hawai’i State
Legislature approved,and Governor David Y.Ige signed into law,Acts 032
and 033 (2017)and Acts 015 and 016 (2018),which relate to implementation of the
Paris Agreement and establishment of a Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force;
and
WHEREAS,consensus exists among the world’s leading climate scientists that
climate change caused by emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities is the
most urgent problem facing the world today;and
WHEREAS,we are already seeing the impacts of climate change throughout
the United States and the world,in the extraordinary intensity of recent storms,
floods,fires,and droughts.In 2018 alone,on Kaua’i with the April flooding and
throughout Hawai’i with Hurricane Lane,the people of Kaua’i and Hawai’i have
experienced the impacts of a Climate Crisis.The disruption and costs to lives,
economies,and ecosystems is causing widespread human suffering,irreversible
environmental losses,and enormous strains on already tight public and private
budgets;and
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WHEREAS,in striving to do its part to reduce Kaua’i’s greenhouse gases,
Kaua’i County will also be moving toward its goal of a more sustainable community
while protecting lives and property and perpetuating the beauty and uniqueness of
our island home;now,therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA’I,
STATE OF I{AWAI’I,that the Council joins Governor David Y.Ige,County of Hawai’i
Mayor Harry Kim,City &County of Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell,County of Maui
Mayor Alan M.Arakawa,and County of Kaua’i Mayor Bernard P.Carvalho,Jr.,in
expressing its commitment to achieving the goals articulated in the Paris Agreement.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED,that copies of this Resolution be sent to United
States Senator Mazie K.Hirono,United States Senator Brian Schatz,United States
Representative Colleen Hanabusa,United States Representative Tulsi Gabbard,
Governor David Y.Ige,Senate President Ronald Kouchi,Representative Daynette
“Dee”Morikawa,Representative Nadine K.Nakamura,Representative James
Kunane Tokioka,County of Hawai’i Council and Mayor Harry Kim,City &County of
Honolulu Council and Mayor Kirk Caldwell,County of Maui Council and Mayor Alan
M.Arakawa,and County of Kaua’i Mayor Bernard P.Carvalho,Jr.
Introduced by:
V:\RESOLUTIONS\2016-2018 TERM\Resolution Committing to Paris Agreement JA_ct.docx
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