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Resolution of the Mayor and Council of Princeton in Support of Princeton’s Climate Action Plan
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WHEREAS, consensus exists among the world's leading climate scientists that global warming caused by emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from human activities is among the most significant problems facing the world today; and
WHEREAS, documented impacts of global warming include, but are not limited to, increased occurrences of extreme weather events (e.g., droughts and floods), adverse impacts on human health, ecosystems, demographic patterns, and economic value chains; and
WHEREAS, the Princeton community is already experiencing the impact of climate change through increased precipitation, more frequent flooding, and rising temperatures; and
WHEREAS, local governments can lead by example by adopting practices and incorporating strategies to reduce GHG emissions from all municipal operations; and
WHEREAS, on July 22, 2019, the Princeton Council passed Resolution 19-227 in support of Princeton’s Climate Action Plan (CAP); and
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey has mandated statewide reduction of GHG emissions to 80% below 2006 levels by 2050, with an interim goal of 50% by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Princeton Council has committed to strategies within Princeton’s CAP as part of its Goals and Priorities, including taking steps to:
• reduce emissions in the built environment (e.g., CAP action 1.1),
• increase the supply of low-carbon, affordable, reliable energy (e.g., CAP actions 2.1 and 2.2),
• promote mixed-use development and pedestrian- and transit-oriented, location-efficient neighborhoods (e.g., CAP action 3.1 and 3.4),
• reduce community-wide vehicle miles traveled by switching to public transit, bicycling, and walking (e.g., CAP actions 4.5),
• expand access to zero-emission vehicles (e.g., CAP actions 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4),
• protect and enhance local natural resources that provide carbon capture, reduce flooding and heat island impacts (e.g., CAP actions 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6),
• protect the tree canopy (e.g., CAP actions 7.1 and 7.3),
• reduce the life-cycle emissions from the disposal of waste generated by the Princeton community (e.g., CAP actions 10.1 and 10.2),
• protect lives, property, and critical facilities from the impacts of stormwater flooding (e.g., CAP actions 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.6, 11.7, 11.12); and
WHEREAS, Princeton’s Climate Action Plan was developed over a 16-month period with the participation of over 50 subject matter experts, community stakeholders, municipal staff, and volunteer leadership from municipal Boards, Committees, and Commissions; and
WHEREAS, extensive GHG reduction analysis and modeling, stakeholder input, and community engagement were incorporated in the plan to ensure feasibility and buy-in;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Princeton in Mercer County, New Jersey, indicate its continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and prioritizing climate change resiliency interventions through ongoing implementation of Princeton’s Climate Action Plan.