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2008/11/25 City Council Resolution 2008-186RESOLUTION NO. 2008-186 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROIINERT PARK ENDORSING THE AHWAHNEE PRINCIPLES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENCOURAGING USE OF THE PRINCIPLES WHEREAS, California is particularly vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change as projected increases in temperature and precipitation changes, increased transmission of infectious diseases, and higher air pollution levels could significantly impact public health and mortality rates in our large and aging population; and WHEREAS, Greenhouse gases (GH) in the atmosphere have already reached unprecedented levels and are causing well- documented adverse changes to our planet's physical and biological systems; and WHEREAS, California's Global Warming Solutions Act, signed by the Governor in 2006, sets a goal of reducing the state's carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (a 25% reduction) and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; and WHEREAS, state officials have identified transportation as the largest single source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the electricity and commercial /residential energy sector as the second - largest source of emissions; and WHEREAS, both sources are significantly influenced by local government land decisions, giving local government officials both the opportunity and the enormous responsibility of playing a key role in achieving the state's GHG reduction targets; and WHEREAS, by adoption of Resolution No. 2006 -27 on January 10, 2006, the City Council endorsed and encouraged implementation of the Local Government Commission's Ahwahnee Water Principles for Resource- Efficient Land Use; and WHEREAS, the Local Government Commission has developed a set of principles known as the Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change, which build on the previous principles authored by the Local Government Commission and provide specific guidance for local governments to follow in addressing this urgent and often overwhelming challenge. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park that the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park endorses the attached Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change and encourages their implementation. DULY AND REGULARLY ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park this 25`x' day of November, 2008. RpKNERT PgRk ATTEST: CITY OF ROHNERT PARK 19 �� `^ 1) Mayor ity Clerk !�- CALIFORNIA y BREEZE: NO SMIT : AYE STAFFORD: ABSENT VIDAK- MARTINEZ: AYE MACKENZIE: AYE AYES: (3) NOES: (1) ABSENT: (1) ABSTAIN: (0) � 7N 3s , C. California is particularly vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change. Projected increases in temperature and precipitation changes, increased trans - mission of infectious diseases, and higher air pollution levels could significantly impact public health and mortality rates in our large and aging population. California's coastline communities and wetlands could suffer extensive and irreversible damage as sea levels rise over the next century. Our $30 billion agriculture industry could be impacted by changes in temperature and rainfall patterns and the increased pests and diseases that may accom- pany those changes. California's water supply is already facing challenges, in part from the shrinking Sierra snow pack. This,the state's largest reservoir, is predicted to lessen by one third over the next 50 years, and to half its historic size by the end of the century. California's Global Warming Solutions Act,signed by the Governor in 2006, sets a goal of reducing the state's carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (a 25% reduction) and 80 % below 1990 levels by 2050. State officials have identified transportation as the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions, with 38% emitted by all modes of transportation (passenger cars, light and heavy duty trucks, rail and water). The electricity and commercial /residential energy sector is the second- largest source of emissions. Both sources are significantly influenced by local government land use decisions. This fact gives local government officials both the opportunity and the enormous responsibility of playing a key role in achieving the state's greenhouse gas reduction targets.' In 1991, the Local Government Commission unveiled the Ahwahnee Principles for Resource- Efficient Communities, providing a blueprint for the multiple city and county smart growth policies that followed and setting the path for a national movement. The subsequent Ahwahnee Principles for Economic Development and Ahwahnee Water Principles further support the implementation of the original Ahwahnee Principles. In the face of climate change, all these principles have increased importance, and a growing number of communities continue to adopt them as policy. Local governments are on the front line, both in dealing with the impacts of climate change and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These new Ahwahnee Principles for Climate Change Principles build on previous principles authored by Local Government Commission and provide specific guidance for local governments to follow in addressing this urgent and often overwhelming challenge. IIIIIIIIIIII;;;lhlll Local Government www.lgc.org /\VI Commission The Ahwahnee PrincipteS Unless we locate new growth in the right places and develop it properly, the streams, rivers and lakes that receive runoff water will for Economic DeVelOpment become increasingly more polluted and the natural functions of watersheds that collect and cleanse our water supplies will diminish. A s the smart - growth approachesao development began taking root `in the early 1990s it became clear that a companion set of Adopted in 2005, the 14 Ahwahnee Water Principles — identified principles addressing the economic development aspects of creating ` by water experts as the most effective and viable least -cost options More livable communities was also needed; giving rise to the,. to help guide communities concerned about their future water „ Ahwahnee Principles for Economic Development in 1997. supplies — address water -wise growth, water conservation, water - friendly neighborhood /site -scale planning and design strategies, Prosperity in the 21st century will be based on creating and main- and implementation strategies to make the physical changes taining a sustainable standard of living and a high quality of life!for necessary to ensure water sustainability. all. To meet this challenge,a new comprehensive model is emerging which embraces economic,social and environmental responsibility The California State Water Resources Control Board now promotes and recognizes the economic value of natural and human capital: ' the principles and is using them as a way of prioritizing grants and loans to local government. The number of cities and counties ■ www.lgc.org /ahwahnee /econ .principles:html adopting these principles as policy is growing every day. ■ www.lgc.org /ahwahnee /h2o_principles.htmi © 2008. Local Government Commission. Sacramento, CA. • editing +design: Dave Davis • Local Government Commission's Center for Livable Communities • 916 / 448 -1198 • www.lgc.org