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Home My WebLink AboutEC Packet - 03.14.2022 - CancelledCity of Falcon Heights Environment Commission City Hall 2077 Larpenteur Avenue W. Tuesday, March 14, 2022 6:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85171419171 A G E N D A A.CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Martin McCleery ____ Patrick Mathwig ___ Esha Seth ____ Pedro De Filippo Vannucci___ John Pellegrini_____ Amy Christiansen______ Council Liaison Meyer ____ Staff Liaison Moretto ____ C.APPROVAL OF MINUTES: TABLED February 15, 2021 D.AGENDA 1.Review and Discuss the GreenStep Worksheet. 2.Climate Action Plan Discussion E. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 1.Other F.ADJOURN Next Meeting: April 11, 2022 If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION MEMO Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Item Climate Action Plan Description Many cities around the state have adopted Climate Action Plans addressing the pressing issues of climate change. Staff and City Council has requested the Environment Commission study the issues and actions the City has taken and identity future action through a Climate Action Plan. Attached to this memo is a Plan presentation, resolution template, and a one-page description of the Climate Action Plan. Staff requests a discussion and a road map for the development of this Climate Action Plan and Policy recommendations to City Council. Meeting Date March 14, 2022 Agenda Item Agenda D2 Submitted By Paul Moretto, Community Development Coordinator/Planner Climate Emergency Declarations/Resolutions Minnesota Coordinated Effort “The time is now to come together as a united force, to insure a livable future for us, for your children, for your grandchildren, and for the generations to come. The time is now to create a sustainable future.” - From then high school junior Sophia Skinner before St. Louis Park City Council What we’re doing: ● Local governments of all sizes, and in all regions of Minnesota will join in declaring a Climate Emergency on January 24th or 25th, calling for immediate action at all levels of government to address the climate crisis. By acting simultaneously, these state-wide localities expect to amplify their impact, speaking together to urge local, state and federal action. Why declare a Climate Emergency? ● The dramatically evident shift in our climate IS an emergency! It’s here now; it’s going to get worse; and it’s impacting all regions of our state, country, and world. ○ The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently declared (August 21) that world leaders at all levels must take immediate action to reduce greenhouse emissions to prevent catastrophic impacts. ● It’s impacting Minnesota now! Unanticipated occurrences of drought, higher annual temperatures and sustained heat waves, dangerous air quality, repeated incidences of “hundred year” floods, and forest fires of unprecedented size - are all happening now in Minnesota. ● Opportunity to mobilize and magnify: Declaring an emergency will call attention to the issue and can mobilize people to action. Working together we can magnify our impacts on our own communities and on Minnesota. ○ Acting together will increase our visibility and leverage for state and federal assistance ○ This conspicuous action will provide bold local leadership in a way that connects to a larger statewide effort. People are empowered when they feel what they do matters and when they are part of something larger than themselves. The Climate Emergency declaration customizable template includes local, state, and global impacts, a commitment to local action, and a call for state and federal support. Background on “Climate Emergency” ● Started in U.S. by The Climate Mobilization organization - calling for a mobilization of government and society to make significant progress on climate change by 2030 ● 2000+ jurisdictions in 34 countries have declared a Climate Emergency, including three leaders in MN (Crystal Bay Township and Minneapolis in 2019, Duluth earlier this year). There are 15-25 MN jurisdictions actively considering participating with three already having declared a climate emergency (Duluth, Minneapolis, Crystal Bay.) A RESOLUTION JOINING CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS MINNESOTA DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND ASKING THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO HELP ADDRESS IT AND PROVIDE VALUABLE RESOURCES) WHEREAS Falcon Heights has just this past year experienced numerous climate change related impacts including a record June heat wave, dangerous air quality from drought-fueled forest fires where even healthy people were encouraged to remain inside, and water restrictions from the same drought, making it clear that the climate crisis is not only a future issue — it is affecting us here and now; WHEREAS extreme weather will create new challenges for [the City of Falcon Height’s infrastructure and finances and will pose a threat to the economic vitality of our residents and businesses; WHEREAS the greatest burden from an inadequate response to the climate crisis will be felt by historically marginalized or underserved communities as well as the youngest generation, including the children and grandchildren of Falcon Heights; WHEREAS in Minnesota, the ten warmest and wettest years ever recorded have all occurred since 1998, warming surface waters are leading to a significant loss of fish habitat for many prominent species as well as increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms, forests are changing as native northern species are strained by warming temperatures, crops are stressed by cycles of drought and floods, home insurance rates are rising far faster than the national average from an average of $368 in 1998 to $1348 in 2015, and faster warming winters are leading to new pests as well as shorter winter recreation seasons; WHEREAS, the bi-partisan Next Generation Energy Act, passed by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed by then Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2007, committed our State to achieving to an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and with interim goals of 15% and 30% below 2005 GHG emissions levels by 2015 and 2025, respectively, with cities being key drivers of achieving these goals; WHEREAS, our State did not meet its 2015 goal, and is not yet on track to reach our future targets; WHEREAS, in April 2016 world leaders from 175 countries, including the United States, recognized the threat of climate change and the urgent need to combat it by signing the Paris Agreement, agreeing to “pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius”; WHEREAS, we have already reached a temperature increase of nearly 1.1 degrees Celsius (nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit) as compared to pre-industrial times and the death and destruction already wrought by this level of global warming demonstrate that the Earth is already too hot for safety and justice, as attested by increased and intensifying wildfires, floods, rising seas, diseases, droughts, and extreme weather; WHEREAS, in August 2021 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body responsible for assessing the science related to climate change, released a report that stated “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere and land,” and that “Human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2000 years,” and “with every additional increment of global warming, changes in extremes continue to become larger”; WHEREAS, recent scientific research indicates that to achieve the goal of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, carbon emissions must be halved by 2030 and reach net zero global emissions by 2050; WHEREAS, a transition to a clean energy economy, if not carefully planned, would have a disruptive effect on impact on the livelihoods of many in our community while a well-planned transition may provide expanded job opportunities for local residents; WHEREAS, 2,012 jurisdictions in 34 countries including Minnesota leaders Duluth, Minneapolis, and Crystal Bay Township, have already declared climate emergencies in order to focus attention on the need for rapid action to address climate change; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Falcon Heights declares that a climate emergency threatens our city, region, state, nation, humanity and the natural world. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Falcon Heights commits to working for a just transition and climate emergency mobilization effort and will [pick or create what works for your city]: • Create/Implement a Climate Action Plan • Improve the efficiency and quality of street lighting, traffic signals and outdoor public lighting. • Replace the city's existing street lighting with Dark Sky-compliant LEDs, modifying any city franchise/utility agreement and adding smart grid attributes. ● Position city with shovel-ready (or identified) projects to take advantage of state and federal climate action funding opportunities BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Falcon Heights calls on the Minnesota legislature and executive branch to immediately and aggressively support cities of all sizes around Minnesota to both mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change including providing funding and resources for the development and implementation of climate action plans. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Falcon Heights calls on the federal government to immediately commit resources to support the climate mitigation and adaptation efforts of cities large and small, to invest in the infrastructure needed for a sustainable future, to ensure that investment is at the scale needed, and to provide the necessary global leadership to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). Climate Emergency Declaration A Minnesota Collaboration Climate Group Background ●MN’s bipartisan Next Generation Energy Act signed by Governor Pawlenty in 2007 setting goals for the state ●Climate Emergency Declarations ○Call to make significant progress on climate change by 2030 ○2,012 jurisdictions in 34 countries have declared a Climate Emergency MN Leaders include Crystal Bay Township, Minneapolis, and Duluth This is of Global Importance ●The dramatically evident shift in our climate IS an emergency! It’s here now; it’s going to get worse; and it’s impacting all regions of our state, country, and world. ○The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently declared (August 21) that world leaders at all levels must take immediate action to reduce greenhouse emissions to prevent catastrophic impacts. “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land.” -United Nations IPCC Climate Change 2021 Report It’s impacting Minnesota now! Delta Fire in Superior National Forest, east of Ely, MN 2021. Photo Credit: Timo Rova, USDA Forest Service2012 Flooding damage, Vermilion Road, Duluth, MN. Photo Credit: John Goodge MPCA Air Quality Alert, July 29, 2021 Opportunity to Lead ●Mobilize ●Amplify ●Leverage Acting together will increase our visibility and leverage state and federal assistance What are we doing? ●Local governments of all sizes, and in all regions of Minnesota are joining to simultaneously take action by declaring a Climate Emergency ●Multiple communities are considering taking this action Moving Forward ●Tools Overview ○One-pager ○Declaration/Resolution Template ●January 24-25th, 2022 ●Communications Plan in progress “The time is now to come together as a united force, to ensure a livable future for ourselves, for our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come. The time is now to create a sustainable future.” - From then high school junior Sophia Skinner before St. Louis Park City Council Questions/Discussion Next Steps and Follow-up ●Plan your community’s climate emergency resolution (with existing templates) ○Generate interest in your community ●Join other elected officials for further discussion and planning ○November 3rd 4:00-5:15 pm, reach out to Emma Pierson (epierson@gpisd.net) for the Zoom information ○Share the sample resolution, webinar recording, and resolution template with others ●Keep us informed ○Fill out this form when you have updates or email us with questions ○Emma Pierson (epierson@gpisd.net) ○Larry Kraft (lkraft@stlouispark.org)