Philadelphia Must Act Rapidly On Climate Change
Mayor Jim Kenney and City Councilmembers
We need rapid decarbonization to meet the global level of 1.5 degrees, which scientists say will limit the worst effects of climate change. Philadelphia is moving in the right direction, but must treat climate change like the emergency it is and act much more quickly to address it.
Sponsored by
To:
Mayor Jim Kenney and City Councilmembers
From:
[Your Name]
To Mayor Jim Kenney and all City Councilmembers:
We, the undersigned, demand that the city of Philadelphia urgently mitigate and adapt to climate change by taking these actions:
-Officially declare a citywide Climate Emergency.
-Pass binding legislation to make Philadelphia carbon-neutral by 2030.
-Financially divest by ending city pension funds that invest in the fossil fuel industry, and by creating and utilizing a citywide public bank by 2030.
-Require new housing and community center developments to be both carbon-neutral and affordable for our lowest-income populations.
-Repair and decarbonize Philadelphia’s public schools by installing solar panels, green roofs, and updating insulation along with making all schools lead-free.
-Protect our existing green space - trees, parks, and community gardens - from being destroyed by development, and ban the cutting down of all healthy heritage and old-growth trees.
-Rapidly increase citywide tree cover and vegetation on both public and private land to reverse previous loss of green space.
-Mitigate climate-change related flooding by drastically expanding the amount of rain gardens, green streets, and other flood-prevention tools.
Sincerely,
Fridays For Future Philadelphia and Supporters