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Resolution - Page 2 of 3 <br />I.Specific to the Willamette Valley, including the City of Eugene, the most densely <br />populated and fastest-growing region in Oregon, greater risks of extreme heat events, summer <br />water scarcity, poor air quality and, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, a <br />significant influx of climate refugees from other parts of the U.S. are expected. <br />J.The scientific prescription for avoiding the worst effects of climate change requires <br />returning atmospheric levels of CO2 to 350 ppm by the year 2100, requiring a 96% reduction in <br />fossil fuel emissions by 2050, in addition to significant increases in natural carbon sequestration <br />through reforestation and soil management changes. <br />K.If emission reductions are delayed, it will make it difficult or impossible to meet a <br />safe target; thus, urgent and substantial reductions in CO2 emissions are critical. <br />L.Cities have a duty to current and future generations to protect our climate system <br />and take science-based action on climate change. <br />M.The City of Eugene amended its Climate Recovery Ordinance in 2016 to establish <br />a community CO2 emissions reduction target in line with the 350 ppm by the year 2100 trajectory. <br />N.In a landmark constitutional climate case called Juliana v. U.S., twenty-one youth, <br />including six Eugenians, filed a lawsuit against the executive branch of the United States <br />government for its role in perpetuating climate disruption, alleging violation of the youths’ and <br />future generations’ rights to life, liberty and property, and equal protection under the law, while <br />also failing to protect essential public resources. <br />O.If the Juliana youth plaintiffs are successful in their case, the federal government <br />likely will be ordered to create and implement a science-based national Climate Recovery Plan <br />designed to phase out the United States’ fossil fuel energy system and emissions and draw down <br />excess atmospheric CO2 in line with the 350 ppm by 2100 prescription, thus enhancing Eugene’s <br />efforts to get off of fossil fuels and providing us an opportunity to avoid the worst of the <br />predicted climate impacts, stabilize the climate system for current and future generations, protect <br />our communities from fossil fuel pollution, and protect vital natural resources for all. <br />P.On November 10, 2016, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken found that “the right to a <br />climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society,” thus <br />allowing the Juliana v. U.S. case to move toward trial. <br />Q.The Juliana v. U.S. case will be heard on June 4, 2019 by a three-judge panel <br />in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals through a process called interlocutory appeal, now is <br />the time for cities to speak out in solidarity. <br />R.The voice of the City of Eugene on behalf of its citizens is critically needed, as we <br />envision a society free of fossil fuels and thereby free of the physical, emotional and psychological <br />impacts of climate change on residents of Eugene. <br />May 20, 2019, Work Session - Item 1