Resolution 1394RESOLUTION NO. 1394
A RESOLUTION PLEDGING CITY OF EDMONDS
PARTICIPATION IN THE PUGET SOUND REGIONAL
CLIMATE PREPAREDNESS COLLABORATIVE
WHEREAS, the Central Puget Sound Region is experiencing sea level rise, increasing
temperatures, changes in precipitation, a long-term decline in snow and ice, and ocean
acidification, and
WHEREAS, these trends are projected to continue and to accelerate in the coming
decades; increasing the potential for flooding, landslides, summer drought, wildfire, disruption of
ecological communities, and other impacts in our region, and
WHEREAS, these impacts increase risks to public health, infrastructure, safety, local
economies, the environment, and
WHEREAS, protecting public health and safety, providing critical infrastructure,
supporting economic prosperity, and protecting natural and treaty trust resources are core roles
for tribal, local and regional governments; and
WHEREAS, coordinated efforts across the region to prepare for climate impacts will
improve local and tribal government efforts to build the region's preparedness for existing
natural hazards including droughts, wildfire, seismic and extreme weather events; and
WHEREAS, climate preparedness augments and is complementary to existing local and
tribal government efforts to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases; and
WHEREAS, concerted action and investments to prepare for climate impacts and build
resilience offer opportunities to address broader inequities in health, mobility, and access to
economic opportunity; and
WHEREAS, tribal, local and regional governments face similar challenges in assessing
climate change impacts and risks and developing climate preparedness strategies with limited
resources; and
WHEREAS, climate impacts like changing rainfall patterns or sea level rise often cross
jurisdictional and service area boundaries; and
WHEREAS, the Pacific Northwest is home to world -recognized climate research
institutions that are contributing greatly to our common understanding of regional climate
impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities; and
WHEREAS, by sharing information on climate impacts, pooling resources and expertise,
and collaborating on approaches to climate preparedness research and action, we can serve our
communities, customers and taxpayers more effectively and efficiently; and
WHEREAS, by working together to define shared climate change risks and actions our
investments will have greater impact and visibility, and
WHEREAS, upcoming updates to Transportation 2040 and Vision 2040 for the Central
Puget Sound Region create opportunities to integrate the latest information on climate impacts
and vulnerabilities into regional transportation, growth, and economic development plans, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EDMONDS, AND THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Edmonds joins as a partner in the formation of the Puget Sound Regional
Climate Preparedness Collaborative to work together to pursue the following shared actions:
1. Capacity Building: Build shared understanding of regional climate impacts in Central
Puget Sound and best practices for climate preparedness through information sharing,
joint workshops and training, and periodic meetings.
2. Community Engagement: Collaborate with communities in our efforts to better
understand how climate change will impact public health, safety, and economic
opportunities for diverse communities across Central Puget Sound, with an emphasis on
understanding how climate change can worsen existing disparities in health outcomes,
economic opportunity, and environmental impacts.
3. Communications: Develop and communicate consistent, reliable, and easily accessible
information on climate impacts and risks in Central Puget Sound informed by current
science and reflecting the concerns and priorities of impacted communities.
4. Coordinated Research: Identify and pursue opportunities for joint research and
assessment of climate impacts that can be accomplished more efficiently and effectively
through coordinated efforts.
5. Funding and Resources: Jointly pursue grant, foundation, and other funding to support
our efforts to strengthen understanding of climate impacts and climate preparedness
across the Central Puget Sound Region.
6. Planning: Seek and consider information on climate impacts and risks to public health
and safety, critical infrastructure, economy, treaty trust resources, and our natural
environment as part of regional planning efforts like Transportation 2040 and Vision
2040, and make recommendations to strengthen climate preparedness and community
resiliency in local, regional, state, tribal and federal policies and plans.
Section 2. To accomplish these objectives, and subject to available resources, Edmonds City
staff will participate in quarterly meetings to develop and implement a work program that
supports and advances this collaboration in the areas outlined in this pledge. The City and other
partners in the Collaborative will convene annually to review current information on climate
impacts and best practices, review progress on collaborative efforts, and develop
recommendations for joint action for the following year.
RESOLVED this 6th day of November, 2017,
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
LERK, SCOTT ASSEY
MAYOR, DAVID O. EARLING
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