Arcata Endorses Declaration of Climate Emergency

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

At the Arcata City Council meeting held on Wednesday, September 18, presiding members of the Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting a Declaration of Climate Emergency. Adopting this resolution solidified Arcata’s commitment to a just transition away from fossil fuels and a climate emergency mobilization effort to reverse global warming.

The world’s leading climate scientists have found that global warming caused by the emissions of greenhouse gasses from human activities is among the most significant problem facing the world today. Arcata, like many parts of the world, is already suffering impacts of climate change in the form of droughts and increased lowland flooding. The severity of these impacts will only increase if global greenhouse gas emissions are not significantly reduced.

For years, Arcata has provided local, regional and national leadership regarding environmental and climate change reversal policy and practices. Over several decades, the City has made a commitment to reversing the effects of climate change with ongoing efforts including, but not limited to:

Establishing the Arcata Community Forest in 1955, which increases tree volume each year to sequestercarbon locally

Creating a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan in 2006

Developing a new Climate Action Plan and an All-Electric Initiative

Implementing a Zero Waste Action Plan

Purchasing 100% renewable electricity for all City operations

The ongoing conversion of City facilities to Zero-Net Energy, with three facilities completed

The City of Arcata resolves to continue to actively work on renewable energy development, work to switch from natural and liquid gas fuel to electric each year and supply 100% of the City’s operational electricity through renewable sources.

Further, the City will continue to track and monitor greenhouse gas emissions towards the goal of elimination and continue to educate and inform residents, businesses and visitors on preparedness actions we can all take to address impacts of the climate emergency in the form of disasters including droughts, wildfire, air pollution, power outages, increased risk of lowland flooding and other climate-related disasters.

The City encourages public participation toward greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, including input from disenfranchised communities, and recognizes that Arcata residents, community organizations, labor organizations, businesses and schools are integral to leading this effort.

For community resources on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve zero waste and to learn more about the City’s efforts, please visit cityofarcata.org/614/Sustainability-Programs.