Climate change on the minds of city lawmakers
City lawmakers have been asked to reaffirm Kingston’s commitment to the principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship in light of President Donald Trump withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement.
During a meeting this past week, the Common Council’s General Government/Public Safety Committee advanced a proposed memorializing resolution reaffirming the city’s commitment to taking action to further reduce climate pollution, to continue to support the principles of the Paris agreement, and “to stand with cities and other publicand private-sector partners throughout the world to advance action in accordance with the goals outlined in the Paris agreement.”
The memorializing resolution had been requested by Mayor Steve Noble, who wrote in a letter to Common Council President James Noble that he could not agree with the president’s decision to withdraw the nation from the Paris agreement.
“Our children’s future will be irreparably harmed if we fail to care for our natural resources, acknowledge that climate change is real and do something productive to address and reduce further damage,” the mayor wrote to his uncle.
The committee adopted the resolution over the objection of council Minority Leader Deborah Brown, R-Ward 9. Brown said she voted against the resolution because she felt it was redundant.
The city already has a Climate Action Plan and was named a “Climate Smart Community” by New York state, as well as a “Clean Energy Community.”
“It’s symbolic,” Alderwoman Lynn Eckert, DWard 1, said of the proposed resolution.
The memorializing resolution now must go to the full Common Council for a vote. The council next meets on Aug. 1.
The resolution states Kingston wants to protect and enhance the quality of life in the community and that taking steps to increase energy efficiency and resilience can attract jobs and economic development opportunities.
It also states that there is scientific consensus regarding the reality of climate change and the recognition that human activity is an important driver of climate change.