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4 <br /> WHEREAS, counties have a unique role to play in reducing greenhouse gas <br /> emissions and preparing for the impacts of climate change through their regional <br /> jurisdiction over policy areas such as air quality, land use planning, <br /> transportation, zoning, forest preservation, water conservation, and wastewater <br /> and solid waste management; <br /> WHEREAS, the economic arguments for implementing climate solutions are <br /> compelling, from the near-term economic gains of energy efficiency to the long- <br /> term climate stabilization that can prevent irreparable harm from catastrophic <br /> climate change impacts; <br /> WHEREAS, many counties throughout the nation, both large and small, are <br /> reducing global warming pollutants through programs that provide economic and <br /> quality of life benefits such as reducing energy bills, preserving green space, <br /> implementing better land use policies, improving air quality, promoting waste-to- <br /> energy programs, expanding transportation and work choices to reduce traffic <br /> congestion, and fostering more economic development and job creation through <br /> energy conservation and new technologies; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County and its municipalities have already recognized the <br /> need for local action toward greenhouse gas emissions reduction, by developing <br /> an inventory of emissions, possible reduction measures and potential reduction <br /> targets for the year 2030, to be presented to the elected bodies in February <br /> 2009; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: <br /> Orange County, as a member of Cool Counties, will take immediate steps to help <br /> the federal, state, and our governments within our County to achieve the 2050 <br /> climate stabilization goal by making the following commitments: <br /> i. Complete the ongoing inventory of County government (operational) <br /> greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions and implement policies, programs and <br /> operations to achieve significant, measurable and sustainable reduction of those <br /> operational GHG emissions to help contribute to the regional reduction targets as <br /> identified in paragraph ii and in the Countywide GHG Emissions Inventory and <br /> Forecast (as well as subsequent actions that may be created from this report that <br /> is currently underway); <br /> ii. Work closely with local, state, and federal governments and other leaders to <br /> reduce countywide GHG emissions to 80 percent below current levels by the <br /> year 2050, by completing and implementing the GHG emissions inventory and <br /> forecast and establishing short-, mid-, and long-term GHG reduction targets, with <br /> recommended goals to stop increasing emissions by 2010, and to achieve a 10 <br /> percent reduction every five years thereafter through to 2050; and <br />