Title
Declaring Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to be "Earth Hour" in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, March 24, 2018, 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. has been designated as "Earth Hour" by the World Wildlife Fund as a reminder that by working together, people can make a positive impact in the fight against climate change; and
WHEREAS, Earth Hour 2017 was celebrated in a record breaking 187 countries and territories across seven continents and aboard the International Space Station, when lights were switched off for 60 minutes, serving as a strong visual reminder of the globe’s determination to tackle our planet’s biggest environmental challenge; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 Earth Hour celebrations were observed by the dimming of lights at more than 3,000 iconic landmarks including the Sydney Opera House (Sydney), Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (London), the Tokyo Tower (Tokyo), the Empire State Building (New York), Singapore Flyer (Singapore), the Pyramids of Egypt (Cairo), Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi), Monumento a la Independencia (Mexico City) and the Eiffel Tower (Paris); and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has celebrated Earth Hour since 2010 with a growing number of participants each year; and
WHEREAS, businesses, organizations, and individuals throughout the city will participate in this year's Earth Hour by dimming lights and otherwise demonstrating support in the following buildings and locations:
Minnesota State Capitol
Saint Paul City Hall/Ramsey County Court House
Landmark Center
First National Bank Building
Wells Fargo Place
Ecolab (360 N. Wabasha & 1 Ecolab Place)
Minnesota Children’s Museum
375 Jackson building
Xcel Center/RiverCentre/Minnesota Wild
Saint Paul George Latimer Central Library
Ramsey County Libraries
Town Square Tower
Rice Park
North Suburban Courts
Metropolitan State University
Science Museum of Minnesota
Ramsey County Sheriff Patrol Station
Ramsey County Public Works Facility
Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health Building
Ramsey County Government Center East
US Bank Center (101 East 5th Street)
US Bank (60 Livingston Avenue)
District Energy St. Paul
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
James J. Hill Center
Union Depot
WHEREAS, approximately one-third of greenhouse gas emissions comes from electricity, it is vitally important to decrease our reliance on electricity and non-essential lighting; and
WHEREAS, significant improvement requires going Beyond the Hour and making permanent, long-term improvements in our day-to-day lives; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has shown its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by installing photovoltaic (solar electric) panels on the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, Rondo Library, West Team Police Station, Public Works Garage, St. Anthony Park Community Center, and Science Museum of Minnesota; installing solar thermal (hot water) panels on the RiverCentre and Como Pool; retrofitting 60 city-owned buildings with efficient lighting and energy management systems; installing electric vehicle charging stations and purchasing electric vehicles; promoting biking by installing bike trails and bike lanes on streets, encouraging the use of bike sharing in the city, and developing a bikeways plan; adopting the Sustainable Saint Paul Building Ordinance for construction projects; making no interest loans to homeowners to make energy efficient improvements to their homes; and supporting the planning and development of the Central Corridor Green Line light rail project and the planning work for other new transit investments; initiating a citywide Pedestrian Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Earth Hour web page (www.stpaul.gov/news/earth-hour) provides helpful information to residents and businesses about how to save energy, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as pictures from previous years’ events; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council, hereby proclaims, March 24, 2018 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. as Earth Hour in the City of Saint Paul. During Earth Hour, the city calls upon all Saint Paul residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, units of government, and houses of worship to turn off nonessential lights to support the aims and goals of this local and international effort.