The city of St. John’s has officially declared a climate emergency.
The decision came down at city hall last night. Affirming a climate emergency means the city will be taking strategic action and putting specific plans in place to address climate change.
Part of that includes the creation of a report by city staff that outlines an approach for creating a sustainability plan which will incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Today, Council will debate “Establishing Climate Mitigation and Adaptation as a Strategic Priority of the City of St. John’s”
Full agenda and new livestream available here (at 4:30): https://t.co/BjJSuCkxaA pic.twitter.com/vGbtuETpWt
— Maggie Burton (@mmburton) November 4, 2019
Councilor Ian Froude, who introduced the motion, says the city’s Sustainability Coordinator will be one of the key contributors to that report. He says the Sustainability Coordinator has been touching base with varying departments over the last several months to make sure any targets they bring forward are feasible.
Effective #ClimateAction depends on political will and coordination. That means that words and declarations matter. By affirming a climate emergency, we’ve committed to doing our part.
We’ve committed to identifying and supporting necessary changes at the municipal level, 1/
— Maggie Burton (@mmburton) November 5, 2019
Meanwhile, representatives from Fridays for Future St. John’s were in attendance for last night’s decision, and they are calling the motion a win.
Hannah Baker says she didn’t actually believe the motion would be passed, which made it that more exciting to hear the unanimous support from council. She says it was amazing to hear all the councilors pledge their support. She says it is great to know council believes in what they stand for and will be taking action to fight climate change.
Alice Ferguson-O’Brien was another member of Fridays for Future in attendance. She believes that by affirming a climate emergency, the city will inspire more youth to get involved in the movement.
She says he decision will help prove that the climate strikes are making a difference and that they are, at least in part, responsible for the changes at city hall.
