The Linn County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a resolution supporting the objectives of the Paris Agreement and approved Linn County’s registration in the “We Are Still In” Coalition.
The Paris Agreement is a landmark model of international cooperation marking the deepest global commitment to combat the threat of climate change. In the absence of a presidential commitment to the Paris Agreement, approximately 2,000 mayors, governors, college and university leaders and business leaders nationwide have declared ongoing support for efforts to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
The Linn County resolution signed by the Board of Supervisors is a formal acknowledgement that the Linn County Board of Supervisors recognizes the important role of all levels of government in combating the threat of climate change and that the Board believes an effective and progressive global response is necessary to address the threat of climate change. Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker brought the resolution to the Board for a vote.
“We all understand how great a challenge we face, though we are not discouraged. We know that if we work together, our collective energies can stem the tide of climate change and inspire communities everywhere to follow suit,” said Walker.
As stated in the resolution, the Linn County Board of Supervisors “believes the United States should be, and has historically been, a leader in environmental sustainability as demonstrated, in part, by the actions of President Theodore Roosevelt in establishing national parks, by the actions of President Nixon in establishing the Environmental Protection Agency and passing the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Act, by the actions of President Reagan and President George H.W. Bush in establishing and implementing the Montreal Protocol on Ozone-Depleting Substances and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and by the actions of President Obama in strengthening fuel economy standards and joining the Paris Agreement.”
Linn County has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and environmental protection through efforts such as including high energy efficiency standards in construction projects and including the promotion of personal health and environmental protection in the Linn County Strategic Plan. More examples of sustainable efforts implemented by Linn County departments are available on Linn County’s website.
By signing the resolution, the Board of Supervisors signals Linn County’s commitment to continue honoring the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the principles of energy efficiency, energy conservation and sustainability.
Following this morning’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Linn County hosted a press conference in which stakeholders spoke about the importance of working to reduce the effects of climate change and examples of steps that organizations have taken to reduce emissions and promote clean, sustainable energy.
Press conference speakers included:
Stacey Walker, Linn County Supervisor
Les Beck, Linn County Director of Planning & Development
Dennis Goemaat, Assistant Director of Linn County Conservation
Rob Hogg, Iowa State Senator
Art Staed, Iowa State Representative
Neil Bernstein, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Mt. Mercy University
Dr. Mark Weldon, Sustainability Principal Engineer, Quaker/PepsiCo
