Title
Declaring Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. to be "Earth Hour" in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, March 23, 2013, 8:30 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 6th annual Earth Hour, 152 countries, over 5,000 towns and cities, representing hundreds of millions of people world-wide, will turn off their lights for 60 minutes to raise awareness anddemonstrate commitment to addressing climate change, making Earth Hour the largest voluntary action for theenvironment; 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, and Science Museum of Minnesota; installing solar thermal (hot water) panels on the RiverCentre; retrofitting 40 City buildings with efficient lighting and energy management systems; purchasing four electric fleet vehicles; promoting biking by installing bike facilities on streets and introducing Nice Ride bike sharing program to the City; adopting the Sustainable Building Policy for new construction projects; making 0% 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, the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge; 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:
Ramsey County Courthouse/Saint Paul City Hall
Minnesota State Capitol
Landmark Center
Wells Fargo Place
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)
Metropolitan State University
Rice Park
First National Bank
Xcel Energy Center
Central Library
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul Earth Hour web page (www.stpaul.gov/earthhour) provides helpful information to residents and businesses about how to save energy, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as pictures from last year's event; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Saint Paul City Council, hereby proclaims, March 23, 2013 from 8:30 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.