Foreword by Maya Stantchev
"When we think about working towards climate solutions and trying to solve our climate crisis, one word often comes to mind – urgency. We only have a limited amount of time before the consequences of climate change become irreversible, which is why it is vital that we act quickly to ensure our planet and its people will have a home for many years to come. One of the efforts I am part of is that of the Climate Emergency Mobilization Team, a part of the Sierra Club’s Grassroots Network whose goal is to encourage the widespread declaration of climate emergencies all throughout the US. They have been hard at work crafting a resolution for our chapters to adopt, to ensure that there is a large-scale commitment to push for climate action, and I am so proud that we have unanimously adopted this resolution as a chapter! I hope to see many other Sierra Club chapters follow in our footsteps, because long-term solutions require more than just urgency; they require the voices and advocacy of passionate groups and individuals, and I know that together we can mobilize to spark change for our future. "
-Maya Stantchev
RESOLUTION TO DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, according to the October 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, human emission of greenhouse gases and other climate pollutants, if unchecked, is likely to induce global warming of 1.5˚C (2.7˚F) above normal by between 2030 and 2052, and increase the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events (e.g., heat, drought, heavy precipitation);
WHEREAS, in 2019 more than 13,500 scientist signatories from around the world, clearly and unequivocally declared that planet Earth is facing a climate emergency and the climate crisis is more severe than previously predicted, with rapid climate change threatening natural ecosystems, biodiversity, food production, human health, economic stability, and global security;,
WHEREAS, more than half of known global climate system tipping points (e.g., irreversible ice loss, permafrost thawing, and deforestation) may already be activated, are impactful and interconnected across different biophysical systems, and potentially commit the world to long-term irreversible changes;
WHEREAS, the impacts of climate change will be experienced unequally, with developing countries, people of color, and disadvantaged communities impacted first and worst, and with such countries and communities having fewer resources to adapt effectively to increased heat;,
WHEREAS, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune commented regarding the 2018 IPCC Special Report, “Humanity cannot afford to sleep through the blaring alarm of this wake-up call, making it clear that the catastrophic effects of climate change like famine and droughts could shape the world for those of us alive today and for generations to come if we do not act immediately;” and
WHEREAS, the Sierra Club’s new climate policy acknowledges that despite efforts to prevent a climate crisis, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase while natural carbon sinks such as forests and wetlands continue being degraded and destroyed, and that to achieve the Sierra Club’s new target of less than 1.0˚C (1.8˚F) global warming we must remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while redoubling and accelerating emissions reduction, recognizing that these approaches are complementary and compulsory.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter
declares that there exists a climate emergency that threatens human populations and economies, biodiversity, and natural habitats in our city, state, nation, and planet;
recognizes that this resolution can catalyze adoption of other resolutions to drive emergency climate actions at local, state, national, and international levels;
calls on local governments, businesses, civil society, and residents to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible, and simultaneously protect local and regional habitat that provides nature-based carbon sequestration;
will work in partnership with communities experiencing systemic racism, disproportionate climate impacts, and other inequities to achieve essential environmental justice goals;
will encourage its members to recognize our climate crisis and engage with other activists in coalition to call for local, regional, and national action to address our climate emergency; and
will commit to analyze emissions arising from or associated with Chapter operations and issue a report with recommendations on how to reduce these emissions for Executive Committee consideration.
Approved by the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter
on October 28, 2020.