Palm Springs commits to Paris Climate Accord goals
Palm Springs is now the first city in Riverside County to approve a resolution, “affirming the (city’s) commitment to meet or exceed goals established in the Paris Climate Agreement.”
The city council voted 3-2 Wednesday night, with Mayor Robert Moon and Councilmember Chris Mills voting no.
The measure, introduced by Councilmember Geoff Kors, and outlined in a staff report presented Wednesday, stated that “the City of Palm Springs will continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Climate Agreement; and 2) That the City of Palm Springs will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming well below 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.”
At least 305 other cities in the U.S. have made similar resolutions, according to Climate Mayors, an alliance committed to strengthening local efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
Dissent among the council
“Given Mr. Trump’s withdrawal of the Paris Climate Agreement it is up to cities and states to take action so that our country reaches the goals and lets the international community know that we remain committed to them,” Kors said. “Nine states and over 300 mayors have signed onto this effort. Since Mayor Moon declined to join these other mayors, and in Palm Springs the mayor has no more authority or power than any other member of Council, I brought this forward so the Council could weigh in. I am pleased that the majority of the Council joined me and voted for the City to take a stand in support of saving our planet and continuing our leadership on climate change and protecting our environment.”
We are now 305 #ClimateMayors strong & growing–we are united in adopting & upholding the goals of the #ParisAgreement in U.S. cities pic.twitter.com/MaZ4PEggbR
— The Climate Mayors (@ClimateMayors) June 15, 2017
“I don’t want to be labeled anti-climate, and as an individual support the Paris Climate agreement,” Moon said. “I support the fact that the state has made a decision on this, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for our council to use the dais make what I feel is a political statement.”
“I am proud of the steps we’ve taken on sustainability in (Palm Springs) and in the valley, but as mayor I am not going to take a position on what I see as a partisan issue,” Moon continued.
Moon said the city’s responsibility to it’s citizens, “as a local government is to take care of homeless on the streets, making sure there are enough police officers. They are not in Paris. If Congressman Ruiz wants to take a position on this, he can, but this is not relevant to my position.”
Moon said Wednesday night’s vote was representative of a trend he does not agree with in Palm Springs.
“I am tired of going along to get along, and taking positions on things that are not relevant to our city. I am only going to vote my consciene. And if it’s not relevant to Palm Springs, and it’s a national issue, I’m not going to address it.”
As of June 15, Chula Vista, San Diego and Los Angeles were the closest cities to the Coachella Valley which had made similar resolutions.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced the U.S. would pull out of the historic Paris Climate Accord, an international effort aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
