Title
Declaring Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to be "Earth Hour" in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, March 29, 2014, 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, in this, the 7th annual Earth Hour, 154 countries, over 7,000 towns and cities, representing hundreds of millions of people worldwide, will turn off their lights for 60 minutes to raise awareness and demonstrate commitment to addressing climate change, making Earth Hour the largest voluntary action for the environment; and
WHEREAS, more than one-third of greenhouse gas emissions comes from electricity - making it 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 facilities on streets, encouraging the use of Nice Ride bike sharing program in the city, and developing a bikeways plan; adopting the Sustainable Saint Paul Building Policy for construction projects; making zero-percent interest loans to homeowners to make energy efficient improvements to their homes; and ensuring completion of the Central Corridor light rail project.
WHEREAS, throughout the world Earth Hour celebrations can be observed by dimmed lights at the Sydney Opera House, Beijing's Forbidden City, the world's tallest building in Tapei, Taiwan, the Kremlin, the Pyramids in Egypt, Capetown's Table Mountain, the Coliseum, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the city will be participating in this year's Earth Hour with dimmed lights in the following prominent buildings and locations evidencing the city's support:
Minnesota State Capitol
Ramsey County Courthouse/Saint Paul City Hall and Annex
Saint Paul RiverCentre/Xcel Center
First National Bank Building
Wells Fargo Place
Landmark Center
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul Central Library
District Energy St. Paul
Rice Park
Ramsey County North Suburban Courts
Ramsey County Sheriff Patrol Station
Ramsey County Public Works/Partners Facility
Five Ramsey County Libraries - (Roseville, Maplewood, Mounds View, Shoreview, White Bear Lake)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council, hereby proclaims, March 29, 2014 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.