2000-24072 RESO
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-24072
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, FLORIDA URGING FLORIDA
GOVERNOR JEB BUSH TO INSTRUCT ALL
RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP
A GLOBAL WARMING ACTION PLAN.
WHEREAS, there is increasingly convincing scientific evidence that global warming is
occurring and is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation; and
WHEREAS, greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are at the highest level in
400,000 years, and the ten hottest years on record have occurred since 1980; and
WHEREAS, seventy-nine percent (79%) of Florida's rapidly increasing population live in
coastal counties extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise; and
WHEREAS, Florida's economy and quality of life are highly dependent on tourism,
recreation, and agriculture and, as a result, will be significantly affected by coral reef damage,
drought and wildfire, severe storms, and other impacts of global warming; and
WHEREAS, adopting common sense energy efficiency and renewable energy measures will
reduce green house gas emission, thereby benefiting communities by saving money, protecting local
environments, and creating jobs; and
WHEREAS, further delay in taking action to develop a global warming action plan will
expose Florida's citizens to urmecessary costs and risks; and
WHEREAS, twenty-five (25) other states have, or are developing, global warming action
plans to protect their citizens and identifY cost-effective options that reduce greenhouse gas
pollution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA that Florida Governor Jeb
Bush is hereby urged to instruct all relevant state agencies to develop a Florida Global Warming
Action Plan.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 13th day of
September ,2000.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR
APPROVED /4S TO
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OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
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MURRAY H. DURBIN
City Attorney
Telephone:
Telecopy:
(305) 673-7470
(305) 673-7002
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM NO.
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SUBJECT:
Mayor Neisen O. Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
Murray H. Dubbil ~~ . I/~JV'
City Attorney 'VV\)fW" ,
RESOLUTION URGING FLORIDA GOVERNOR JEB BUSH TO INSTRUCT
ALL RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES TO DEVELOP A GLOBAL
WARMING ACTION PLAN.
DATE: September 13,2000
TO:
FROM:
ADOPTION
Pursuant to a request by Mayor Neisen Kasdin, attached is a Resolution submitted for
consideration by the City Commission urging Florida Governor Jeb Bush to instruct all relevant state
agencies to develop a global warming action plan.
cc: Jorge M. Gonzalez
City Manager
F:\A1'JUITtI~WAAM,PLN
Agenda Item C 7 I
Date-9-l~-OO
1700 Convention Center Drive -- Fourth Floor -- Miami Beach, Florida 33139
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR & COMMISSION
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:
JORGE GONZALEZ
CITY MANAGER
FROM
NEISENKASDlNl \ \L
MAYOR IV
SUBJECT:
GLOBAL WARMING RESPONSE PLAN RESOLUTION
DATE:
08/25/00
The Alliance for Florida's Future sent the attached letter and resolution requesting the City of Miami
Beach adopt a resolution urging the Governor to develop a Global Wanning Action Plan. As you
are aware, global wanning has the potential to impact Miami Beach as well as other coastal
communities within South Florida. Therefore, please place a resolution on the September 13 City
Commission agenda for consideration.
. ,
Nathaniel Pryor Reed
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August 4, 2000
00 ~UG \5 P!1 4: 30
Mayor Neisen Kasdin
City of Miami Beach
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139-1819
Dear Mayor Kasdin:
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On behalf of the Alliance for Florida's Future, I urge you to endorse the enclosed Resolution for a Global Warming
Response Plan and work with us to pass it as a city resolution.
Global warming will be one of the greatest environmental threats of the 21" century. The scientific evidence shows us that
the question is no longer whether environmental warming is a fact but how we should intelligently respond. It matters little
whether you believe that human activities are the principal causes of global wanning or whether it is a recurring event
influenced by human activities. The problem is the same. It does not seem prudent to avoid taking serious measures to
reduce the known chemical impacts on the thin layer of atmosphere that encloses our tiny earth.
Floridians have the most at risk. Our economy and natnral areas-the miles of beachfront and our coral reefs are especia11y
vulnerable to global wanning and subsequent sea rise. Billions of dollars of property are at stake. Tourism and agriculture
will equally suffer.
It is within our power to make changes in our lifestyles that may reduce the impacts on the ozone layer that protects a111ife on
Earth. Join us by supporting the Resolution that calls on our state and natioualleaders to begin to address the problem.
Municipalities will be the first to pay the costs of global warming, whether the effects are beach erosion, wildfires, loss of
tourist and recreation revenue, or threats to public health. As a local representative, you can provide a critically important
voice in overcoming the complacency of our elected officials at the stale and natiouallevels. By endorsing the Resolution
you will send our leaders a message to take the following reasonable and responsible actions:
State Action: Twenty-five other stales have or are developing global warming action plans, and many are seeing economic
benefits in promoting energy efficiency and clean energy resources. The government of Florida, perhaps the state most
susceptible to global warming, should take similar steps in order to understand the potential costs of inaction and to identify
opportunities that make sense for business while reducing cartlon pollution.
National Action: Although mnch can be done in Florida, concerted action is also necessary at the natiouallevel. National
leaders should endorse and implement the Clean Energy Agenda, a set of measures designed to conserve energy and invest in
renewable resources.
International Action: In negotiating an intematioual climate treaty, the Administration should not undermine the treaty's
environmental integrity with unnecessary loopholes.
that this issue needs your involvement. By demonstrating local concern, your passage of the Resolntion will
for Florida's Future advocate for common sense actions.
...
~
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 1213, Hobe Sound, Florida 33475
Overnight Delivery: 11844 SE Dixie Highway #C, Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
Voice (561) 546-2666 - Fax (561) 546-5019 - E-rnail: nat@flinet.com
Alliance for Florida's Future
Resolution for a Global Warming Response Plan
Whereas, there is increasingly convincing scientific evidence that global warming is occurring
and is caused by the buming of fossil fuels and deforestation;
Whereas, greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are at the highest level in 400,000
years, and the ten hottest years on record have occurred since 1980;
Whereas, 79 percent of Florida's rapidly increasing population live in coastal counties
extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise;
Whereas, sea-level rise is happening now and may double in speed as a result of giobal warming;
Whereas, Florida's economy and quality oflife are highly dependent on tourism, recreation,
and agriculture and, as a result, will be significantly affected by coral reef damage, drought and
wildfire. severe storms, and other impacts of global warming:
Whereas, adopting common sense energy efficiency and renewable energy measures will
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby benefiting communities by saving money,
protecting local environments, and creating jobs;
Whereas, further delay in taking action will expose Florida's citizens to unnecessary costs
and risks;
Whereas, twenty-five other states have or are developing global wanning action plans to
protect their citizens and identifY cost-effective options that reduce greenhouse gas pollution;
Be it resolved that:
Florida's Governor and Cabinet should instruct the relevant agencies to develop a Florida
GlobaI Warming Action Plan that (1) sets specific greenhouse gas emission reducl10ll gw6-
and is an mtegral component of a comprehensive clean energy plan for Florida, and (2) identifies
strategies to minimize the risks posed by sea-level rise and other global warming effects.
The United States government should (1) provide international leadership in negotiating
refinemepts to the Kyoto Proto~ol rules that enwre the tre:!ty '...~!! be envirolh",ent3.lly
effective, fair, and enforceable, and (2) commit to reductions in domestic greenhouse gas
emissions constituting a substantial majority of the reductions needed to meet our
international obligations.
Elected officials should endorse the Earth Day 2000 Clean Energy Agenda which calls for
clean air, clean power, clean cars, and clean investments through a nationwide transition to
energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Signature:
Affiliation:
Date:
www.floridaclimatealliance.net