The Linn County Board of Supervisors today signed a resolution (PDF) declaring a climate crisis. The resolution commits to accelerated action to address the crisis in collaboration with other governments and community organizations.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5°C in October 2018, stating, “Global Warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052 if it continues to increase at the current rate” and “Climate-related risks for natural and human systems are higher for global warming of 1.5°C than at present.”
The resolution furthers Linn County’s commitment to environmental sustainability and resource protection.
Linn County has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and environmental protection through efforts such as including high energy efficiency standards in construction projects, encouraging use of alternative and renewable energy through its Comprehensive Plan, and including the promotion of personal health and environmental protection in the Linn County Strategic Plan (pdf). Linn County received a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. Linn County is also designated a Small Wind Innovation Zone (SWIZ) by the Iowa Utilities Board.
In 2017, the Board of Supervisors signed a resolution in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and approved Linn County’s registration in the “We Are Still In” coalition, which marked Linn County’ s commitment to continue honoring the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the principles of energy efficiency, energy conservation, and sustainability.
“No one politician or government can address climate change alone, but all of us can do something. In the end, it will be the collection of our acts – the small and the big – that will give us a fighting chance of leaving a healthy planet for generations to come,” Linn County Board of Supervisor Chair Stacey Walker said.