Multi-faith Alliance of Climate Stewards - MACS of Frederick County, MD

Here is the text of a climate emergency resolution that has been proposed to the Frederick County Council by two of its members; Jessica Fitzwater and Kai Hagen.  This resolution was successfully passed.  Frederick City passed a similar resolution.

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CLIMATE EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, our present climate crisis poses an immediate and long-term threat to the well-being of all communities, including Frederick County; and

 

WHEREAS, climate change impacts will test our infrastructure, emergency and social services; impact our access to food, water, and energy; disrupt commerce and our quality of life; and

 

WHEREAS, the harm already caused by global warming of approximately 1 degree Celsius demonstrates that the earth has already warmed too much for ecological stability, safety, and justice, as attested by increased and intensifying wildfires, floods, rising seas, climate refugees, diseases, droughts, and the ongoing mass extinction of species; and

 

WHEREAS, restoring a safer and more stable climate requires an emergency mobilization on a scale not seen since WWII to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions within a few decades, to rapidly reduce excess greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and to implement measures to protect all people and species from the consequences of abrupt climate change.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND, that Frederick County declares that a climate emergency threatens our county, state, nation, civilization and the natural world.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Frederick County commits to considering all significant actions through the lens of climate change.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Frederick County commits to an equitable climate emergency mobilization effort to address global warming, reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050, and employ all efforts to safely drawdown carbon from the atmosphere.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Frederick County underscores the need for full community participation and support in this effort and thus the County Council will establish an ad hoc Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup to be comprised of scientific experts, engaged stakeholders, and relevant County Departments.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that within one year of the adoption of this resolution, the Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup will submit its findings to the County Council with suggestions recommendations of actions and accountability measures that will meet the goals of this resolution.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Frederick County commits to communicating with and educating our residents about the climate emergency, including the efforts of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup.

The undersigned hereby certifies that this Resolution was approve and adopted on the ________ day of __________________, 2020.