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File #: 170599    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 6/8/2017 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 6/15/2017
Title: Urging the President of the United States to recommit and join with the Council of the City of Philadelphia in affirming its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.
Sponsors: Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Squilla
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 17059900.pdf, 2. Signature17059900.pdf
Title
Urging the President of the United States to recommit and join with the Council of the City of Philadelphia in affirming its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Body
WHEREAS, On December 12, 2015, representatives from 196 nations, including the United States, made an agreement at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to adopt green energy sources, cut down on climate change emissions, and limit the rise of global temperatures in what is known as the Paris Climate Agreement. The Paris Climate Agreement acknowledges that that the threat of climate change is "urgent and potentially irreversible", and can only be addressed through cooperation by all countries and deep reductions in global emissions; and

WHEREAS, On June 1, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the United States was officially withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, a decision that will have a detrimental environmental and social effect on all nations across the globe; and

WHEREAS, The Paris Climate Agreement is the first major international accord to address climate change that includes emissions reduction pledges from both developed and developing countries. Scientists have determined that developing countries already account for a majority of greenhouse gas emissions; China is the world's leading greenhouse gas emitter and India is likely to surpass the United States as the second largest greenhouse gas emitter before 2050; and

WHEREAS, By withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, the Trump Administration made it clear that the United States would abandon the emissions targets set by former President Barack Obama to cut domestic emissions by 26% to 28% by 2025, and promote technological pathways to cutting emissions by 80% or more by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Energy experts say that poorer countries may be able to develop their economies without depending entirely on fossil fuels, with new technologies like renewable power and electric c...

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