Title
Advocating for a Green New Deal.
Body
WHEREAS, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, global surface temperature has increased by 1.1? since the pre-industrial period, and is on track to exceed increases of 1.5? and 2? within this century, which scientists warn will have irreversible consequences unless drastic emissions reductions are achieved in the coming decades. We are already suffering adverse impacts of the climate crisis on food and water availability, human health, infrastructure, biodiversity, and ecosystems, impacts which will only worsen as time goes on;
WHEREAS, the greatest and most harmful impacts of climate change are falling disproportionately on marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities and injustices along racial, regional, social, and economic lines;
WHEREAS, despite the United States being the largest emitter of global greenhouse gasses since the pre-industrial period, federal action on climate change has been insufficient thus far. The federal government has facilitated record levels of fossil fuel production without holding polluting industries accountable, putting it behind schedule to reach its own stated target of net zero emissions by 2050, and failed to protect communities from climate disaster. In the absence of adequate federal action, the burden falls to state and municipal governments, like Saint Paul, to take ambitious action against climate change;
WHEREAS, the 2017 report from the Interagency Climate Adaptation Team by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found that, due to climate change, Saint Paul will experience worse air quality, increased precipitation, extreme heat, warmer winters, and more frequent severe weather events;
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has demonstrated its commitment to being a leader in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring environmental justice through a number of actions such as:
-Concrete policy actions such...
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