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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2014-073 Resolution of Declaration on Climate Change ��18 ail RES-2014-073 REVISED Attachments—Item 4-b November 18,2014 BOCC Meeting ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE WHEREAS, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, representing over 2,500 climate scientists and twenty years of research, has concluded that global warming caused by human emission of greenhouse gases is among the most significant problems facing the world today; and WHEREAS, projected impacts of global warming will likely include changing patterns of habitats for disease-carrying insects; changes in rain and snowfall patterns, affecting water supplies, agriculture, and the frequency of flooding; changes in natural habitats that will eliminate some species and introduce new ones; and WHEREAS, state, regional and local governments throughout the United States are adopting emission reduction targets and programs and that this leadership is bipartisan and coming from governors, county officials, and mayors alike; and WHEREAS, many counties throughout the nation, large and small, are reducing the production of global warming pollutants through programs that provide economic and quality of life benefits, such as reduced energy bills, green space preservation, air quality improvements, reduced traffic congestion, improved transportation choices, and economic development and job creation through energy conservation/new energy technologies; and WHEREAS, Orange County is undertaking policies, programs and activities to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, these policies, programs and activities save energy and money, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainable land use and transportation planning in the community; and WHEREAS, Orange County government will serve as a model for the community by taking appropriate actions, including those listed in the attachment to this resolution; and WHEREAS, cities and counties statewide are leading by example by adopting innovative sustainability programs and policies, including working with community residents, business groups and others; and WHEREAS, Orange County will recommend actions that Orange County residents and businesses can take, including the ten actions listed in the attachment to this resolution; and WHEREAS, Orange County wishes to expand these activities, share its experiences with other communities, and be recognized for its accomplishments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize the critical nature of global warming and climate change, and cognizant of the actions being taken by local, state, and federal governments and other organizations around the globe, pledges to take steps for climate stabilization, and strongly encourages Orange County residents and businesses to reduce their carbon footprints. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to the mayors of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough with the request that the towns adopt similar resolutions, and that it also be sent to the members of our state and federal legislative delegations. This the 18th day of November, 2014. Barry Jacobs, C Orange Count rd of ommissioners Donn Baker, Clerk to the Board ACTIONS THAT ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND ORANGE COUNTY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES CAN TAKE TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Orange County will serve as a model for the community by taking the following actions (many of which have already been implemented): 1. Switch to compact fluorescent, full spectrum compact fluorescent, and LED light bulbs in county government offices and site lighting; 2. Instruct County staff to turn off all lights, computers, and other devices when leaving for the day; 3. Reduce individual travel and encourage telecommuting and teleconferencing whenever possible for county business; 4. Make composting bins available to county residents at wholesale prices; 5. Set up a County web page on climate change that serves as an information resource; 6. Use biodiesel in county government diesel vehicles, as it becomes practical, with the goal of using B20 or greater biodiesel in all county diesel vehicles by 2020; 7. Switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as hybrid vehicles, when appropriate, in new county fleet purchases targeting a combined fleet-wide average of 36 mpg by 2020; 8. Incorporate more flexfuel mixtures in County vehicles; 9. Actively reduce idling in operating all County vehicles; 10. Provide more trails, bikeways and improved roadway shoulders for walking and biking, and provide more bicycle parking throughout the county; 11. Continue to employ a green building program for Orange County, currently represented by the Triangle J High Performance Building Standards; 12. Require all County departments to buy recycled products, when possible, including paper products that use at least 30% recycled content; 13. Evaluate, strengthen and enforce tree and vegetation protection ordinances; 14. Support bus service throughout Orange County, as well as rideshare programs; 15. Create an inventory of both county government operational and county geographical greenhouse gas emissions. Set a target of greenhouse gas emissions reductions after inventory data are available; 16. Continue to reduce utility, water, and fuel use throughout County operations, as identified and measured through the Energy Scorecard program; 17. Require solid waste facilities countywide to handle and provide for full recycling, composting, and reuse centers; 18. Recycle all recyclable products in all County buildings and facilities; 19. Purchase only non-Styrofoam containers for all County facilities and County activities; Here are ten actions that Orange County residents and businesses can take: 1. Know your carbon footprint in order to understand your energy use habits; 2. Reduce energy use by switching to compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs that can be disposed at the hazardous waste disposal sites; 3. Reduce energy use by driving and idling less--walk, bike, carpool, rideshare, drive at a slower rate of speed, and utilize more fuel efficient vehicles; 4. Reduce energy use by buying local produce/food products and other market products, avoiding products shipped long distances, and use canvas bags for shopping; 5. Reduce energy use by turning off all electrical equipment and lights when not in use; 6. Reduce energy use by improving home energy efficiency and buying Energy Star appliances; 7. Reduce energy use by turning down water heater thermostats to 120 degrees: 8. Recycle all newsprint, cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic; 9. Compost food products and yard waste; and 10. Cut fewer trees and shrubs and plant more native drought resistant types.