That Council adopt the Town of Essex Climate Change Adaptation Plan entitled “ Climate Ready – A Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Town of Essex 2021- 2026” and direct Administration to begin the implementation process identified in said Plan;
That Council appoint the Chief Administrative Officer as the Climate Change Adaptation Champion for the Town of Essex, to lead outreach activities and help solidify the awareness and long-term commitment to Climate Ready – A Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Town of Essex 2021-2026; and
That the Town of Essex hereby declare a Climate Emergency as follows:
WHEREAS the Town of Essex is desirous of adopting a Climate Change Adaptation Plan;
AND WHEREAS the Town of Essex has invested in the creation of the Essex Region Community Energy Plan, in partnership with the County of Essex, the Essex Region Conservation Authority, the other County of Essex municipalities, and regional stakeholders, for the purpose of collectively mitigating the risk of climate change by reducing regional emissions and energy consumption;
AND WHEREAS based on current climate projections the future impacts of human caused climate change could be catastrophic to the Town of Essex's local economy and its municipal budget and may further result in significant economic and health burdens for the constituents of Essex particularly our vulnerable populations;
AND WHEREAS the Town of Essex can join the Canadian Federal government and the 444 Canadian municipalities (including the City of Windsor, County of Essex, Town of Amherstburg, Town of Tecumseh, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent) who as of November 2019 have declared climate emergencies and are advocating for drastic change in order to reduce global carbon emissions to mitigate future climate impacts and adapt to the impacts from climate change;
AND WHEREAS the most recent report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated that within 10 years, in order to keep the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degree C and maintain a climate compatible with human civilization, there must be a reduction in carbon emissions of about 45% from 2010 levels, reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050; and,
AND WHEREAS taking climate action steps and undergoing the low-carbon transition will also represent opportunity for economic stimulation and growing job opportunities in the new low-carbon economy;
AND WHEREAS climate change will jeopardize the health and survival of many local plant and animal species as well as their natural environments and ecosystems;
AND WHEREAS the Town of Essex and the surrounding region is already experiencing climate change impacts including, but not limited to, overland flooding, heavy rain event flooding, emergence of invasive species, an increased number of high heat days, the rise of vector borne diseases, the re-emergence of blue-green algae and harmful algal blooms in our lakes and rivers; and,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Essex declare a Climate Emergency and commit to urgently working towards adapting to the impacts of climate change, mitigating climate risk, and preparing for our climate future.
A Recorded vote was requested by Councilor Bondy.
Recorded Support Against
Mayor Snively x
Deputy Mayor Meloche x
Councillor Garon x
Councillor Bowman x
Councillor Verbeek x
Councillor Bjorkman x
Councillor Vander Doelen x
Councillor Bondy x
Result 7 1