Addressing Climate Change, Resiliency and Sustainability

Recommendation:

RESOLUTION OF COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE, RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY AS A CENTRAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLE FOR ALL ACTIONS OF THE TOWN GOVERNMENT
  
WHEREAS, this past year the occurrence of multiple powerful hurricanes, major forest fires, extreme heat waves, and extreme cold in non-traditional locations, have heightened our awareness of climate change and the necessity of taking bold steps to combat it; and  
 
WHEREAS, in Groton, we have experienced a steady rise in sea level, increasingly powerful precipitation events and extreme temperatures; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Town recognizes that the changing climate has the potential to negatively affect our population, environment and economy; and
 
WHEREAS: climate change poses a growing threat to the health and safety of Groton residents, and
WHEREAS, human activity contributes to these threats and humans must take action now to reduce the impacts and severity of these threats; and 
WHEREAS, by taking action now we will lessen the cost and severity of anticipated climate change impacts on future generations; and
WHEREAS, the Groton Town Council is committed to becoming a leader in combatting climate change and becoming a more sustainable community, balancing economic development with protecting our natural resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that together, as elected community leaders, we commit to actively promoting and employing resiliency and sustainability principles as we seek solutions that effectively address climate risks including protecting land, air and water quality, lowering our carbon footprint; combating the devastating impacts of climate change, reducing injury and illness, and to maintaining and improving our quality of life; and, further, be it
RESOLVED, that the Groton Town Council directs the Town Manager to continue seeking reductions in energy consumption in town operations as a step towards a low carbon future; and, be it further
 
RESOLVED, that the Council supports creating a Resilience and Sustainability Manager position to assist the Town Manager and staff in pursuing opportunities to incorporate resilience and resiliency principles in all Town matters; and, further, be it
 
RESOLVED, the Groton Town Council will consider these guiding principles to be central to all aspects of town governance and operations.