Honorable Mayor Mueller and City Council Members, I am writing to thank you for your leadership on climate action, with the proposed Declaration for a Climate Emergency. I also strongly support the recommendation from the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt a new reduction target of carbon neutral (zero emissions) by 2030. We need bold local climate leadership now more than ever as our federal government falters on this issue (for example, moving to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord). Menlo Park is already feeling the impacts of climate change with more intense heat waves, increased fire danger and smoke, and rising sea levels that will bring serious flooding. Thank you for your leadership so far on climate action with measures to prioritize clean energy, avoid fossil fuels in new construction, and support electric vehicles. Please take the following actions to continue your critically needed climate leadership: * Prioritize Climate Action Planning in the City Workplan for 2020. * Move forward swiftly with the Environmental Quality Commission recommendation for a new climate target: Zero Carbon by 2030! * Declare a Climate Emergency to bring adequate attention and resources to address the Climate Crisis. For the benefit of all Menlo Park residents and especially our youth, please move quickly on these three elements to address the Climate Crisis. Let’s work together towards a fossil free and climate-stable future. Sincerely, Barbara M Beebe Received on Thu Dec 05 2019 - 21:59:26 PST
