Again this year, we saw first-hand the effects of the climate crisis, with the intense smoke from the devastating California wildfires. It is incumbent on us all to take action and to ask our local elected officials to more aggressively address the climate emergency.

A draft Climate Emergency Resolution (CER) has been written for the city of Walnut Creek by the volunteer Walnut Creek Environmental Stakeholder Group and other advocates. We need your support to show that the local residents of Walnut Creek and its surrounding areas, demand action now on the existential threat of Climate Change.”

Please sign this petition to the Walnut Creek City Council to ask them to pass the Climate Emergency Resolution. The draft document is detailed below:

WC CLIMATE EMERGENCY RESOLUTION (CER) DRAFT, 11-27-20

AS STEWARDS OF THE CITY OF WALNUT CREEK, WE HEREBY ENDORSE THIS CLIMATE EMERGENCY DECLARATION WHICH CALLS ON THE COUNCIL, STAFF, BUSINESSES, AND RESIDENTS TO JOIN TOGETHER TO MORE URGENTLY ACCELERATE ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

WHEREAS, by declaring a Climate Emergency, Walnut Creek will join the over 1,400 communities, including many in the Bay Area, that have made declarations that commit to urgently reducing GHG emissions and planning for climate change; and

WHEREAS, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), increasing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) will cause global temperatures to rise 1.5 degrees Celsius by as early as 2030; and

WHEREAS, more than 70 health organizations -- including the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association -- declared climate change to be a health emergency and issued a call to action for government, business, and civil society to recognize climate change as a health emergency; and

WHEREAS, the consequences of climate change pose risks to life, safety and critical infrastructure in Walnut Creek and throughout the world, and threaten physical, social, and economic well-being; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a resilient and green recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, and Walnut Creek’s capacity to act depends on our ability to work together on the economic recovery and climate change; and

WHEREAS, the City of Walnut Creek has taken a number of actions to address climate change, including adopting and implementing the 2012 Climate Action Plan which is now being updated and expanded to become a Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) due at the end of 2021 with a focus on actions through 2030. The City has opted up all city facilities to MCE’s 100% renewable energy plan; increased the number of free EV charging stations; provided two electric trolley routes as free, equitable public transportation; increased the energy efficiency of city buildings; started to electrify the traffic enforcement fleet; converted some of the city maintenance vehicles from diesel to biofuel; provided organic waste recycling in some city facilities; provided more water refill stations throughout the city; banned retail styrofoam use; banned retail single-use plastic bags; partially banned plastic straws; championed the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge; and educated the public about many discounts and rebates available for EVs, rooftop solar and storage, increasing residential energy efficiency and more; and

WHEREAS, there are several actions the City can take before the SAP is adopted and implemented, many of which are low cost and require little staff time, and can respond with the urgency appropriate for the climate crisis.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Walnut Creek declares that a Climate Emergency threatens the long-term economic and social well-being, health, natural beauty, biodiversity, safety, and security of the City, and that urgent action by government, business, and residents is needed to immediately address this emergency.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City will direct all permitted projects to include climate as a critical consideration just as financial impact is now considered.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City establish a volunteer Citizens Advisory Sustainability Task Force to help expedite actions approved in the SAP, and facilitate additional environmental initiatives approved by the Council before the SAP is adopted. Representation on this Task Force shall include all sectors: transportation, the built environment, energy, landscaping, indoor agriculture, food systems, schools, creeks and watersheds, parks and open space, air pollution, water pollution, plastic pollution, finance, and jobs. The Council shall also consider environmental equity and geographic location in selecting the representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED prior to the adoption of the Sustainability Action Plan, the Council will (1) commence a program to plant 500 native and climate appropriate trees in its parks and open spaces annually for the next 10 years, (2) end the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by the City and its contractors, and adopt a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers that includes commercial and residential users that is phased in over 2 years, (3) promote planet-friendly eating and food systems among restaurants, food suppliers, and residents, (4) reduce idling-while-parked by vehicles with internal combustion engines, (5) increase the number of residences and businesses which opt-up to MCE’s and PG&E’s 100% Renewable Energy plans, and (6) facilitate the display of eco-educational art on and in both City and commercial properties.