|
11
<br /> 1 prolonged droughts, spread of infectious diseases, rising sea levels, ocean acidification,
<br /> 2 wildfires, and more intense and frequent extreme weather events; and
<br /> 3
<br /> 4 Whereas, these physical effects are expected to lead to water scarcity, food insecurity,
<br /> 5 increasing numbers of refugees, increased poverty, and the mass extinction of species; and
<br /> 6
<br /> 7 Whereas, studies completed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Risky
<br /> 8 Business Project, Duke University, and others point to the severe economic costs of climate
<br /> 9 change and continuing use of fossil fuel, estimating billions of dollars a year in costs nationally
<br /> 10 and trillions globally; and
<br /> 11
<br /> 12 Whereas, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that
<br /> 13 transitioning to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs
<br /> 14 nationally, improve health and living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years;
<br /> 15 and
<br /> 16
<br /> 17 Whereas, low-income communities and communities of color in North Carolina and the
<br /> 18 United States are inordinately exposed to pollution, that causes serious health problems such
<br /> 19 as cancer and asthma, from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal-fired power plants which
<br /> 20 produce coal ash, and need to be empowered and have access to educational tools and an
<br /> 21 awareness of climate issues; and
<br /> 22
<br /> 23 Whereas, a Stanford University and University of California-Berkeley study concludes
<br /> 24 the United States energy supply could be based entirely on renewable energy by the year 2050
<br /> 25 using current technologies and 80% renewable energy by 2030 while creating numerous green
<br /> 26 jobs; and
<br /> 27
<br /> 28 Whereas, municipalities, organizations, businesses, and academic institutions
<br /> 29 throughout the world have set a goal to achieve carbon or climate neutrality by 2050 or earlier;
<br /> 30 and
<br /> 31
<br /> 32 Whereas, over 1,000 mayors have joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate
<br /> 33 Protection Agreement since 2005 to commit to significantly reduce carbon emissions in their
<br /> 34 cities to combat climate change; and
<br /> 35
<br /> 36 Whereas, over 600 American colleges and universities have made a commitment to
<br /> 37 reduce greenhouse gases, including Appalachian State University, Blue Ridge Community
<br /> 38 College, Carteret Community College, Catawba College, Central Carolina Community College,
<br /> 39 Davidson College, Duke University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University,
<br /> 40 Guilford College, North Carolina Central University, Queens University of Charlotte,
<br /> 41 Southeastern Community College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of
<br /> 42 North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North
<br /> 43 Carolina at Pembroke, Wake Technical Community College, and Warren Wilson College; and
<br /> 44
<br /> 45 Whereas, North Carolina installed 1,140 MW of solar electric capacity in 2015, ranking it
<br /> 46 second nationally; nearly $1.7 billion was invested on solar installations in North Carolina, a
<br /> 47 159% increase over the previous year; there are currently more than 200 solar companies at
<br /> 48 work throughout the value chain in North Carolina, the state companies employing some 6,000
<br /> 49 people; North Carolina ranks third in the nation in installed solar capacity, enough to power
<br /> 50 260,000 homes; and solar photovoltaic system prices in the U.S. have dropped by 66% since
<br />
|