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RESOLUTION#2017-042 (r ed t q <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION OF COMMITMENT TO ADOPT,HONOR AND UPHOLD THE <br /> PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT <br /> WHEREAS, the scientific community has reached an overwhelming consensus that the <br /> earth's climate is warming and human activity—specifically,burning fossil fuels that emit <br /> carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases—is the primary cause of warming; and <br /> WHEREAS, large coastal states such as North Carolina are disproportionately vulnerable <br /> to the effects of climate change, including extreme heat, severe storms, and sea level rise; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS,reducing carbon emissions will help protect Orange County,North Carolina, <br /> residents and future generations—particularly those who are most economically and <br /> physically vulnerable—and mitigate the consequences of extreme weather that hurt the <br /> economy; and <br /> WHEREAS,reducing carbon emissions and preparing for climate change will reduce <br /> illnesses caused by air pollution, high heat, and extreme weather; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County,North Carolina has reduced energy consumption by 15% <br /> per square foot since 2012, has made a formal resolution to reduce carbon emissions by <br /> 80%by 2050 against 2005 levels, and has committed to move to 100%renewable energy <br /> by 2050, and <br /> WHEREAS, President Trump has committed to withdrawing the United States from the <br /> Paris Agreement,thereby retreating from the commitment to limit global warming to <br /> below two degrees Celsius; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County,North Carolina and other state and local governments must <br /> commit to aggressive climate action in the absence of federal leadership, <br /> NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,the Board of Orange County <br /> Commissioners hereby commits to proportionally upholding the commitment made by the <br /> United States in the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 26 and <br /> 28 percent by 2025 from 2005 levels <br /> This the 6t" day of June 2017. <br /> Mark Dorosin, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />