Authorizing City Council's Committee on the Environment to hold public hearings to investigate the current and future state of Philadelphia's environment.

WHEREAS

, The Pennsylvania Constitution includes, “a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment”; and

WHEREAS, It is important to reaffirm the census of the environmental community that the mission to protect and preserve the environment is one of vital importance; and

WHEREAS, Global warming and climate change affects everyone and everything on the planet. The United Nations Climate Change Conference reported in 2009, that carbon dioxide emissions have increased to a record 31.5 billion metric tons, resulting in 40% above levels since 1990; and

WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) reports that the U.S. accounts for 5% of the world’s population and 22% of the world’s carbon emission that contributes to the Greenhouse Effect; and

WHEREAS, The EPA also reports that every year America creates 258 million tons of trash and 169 million tons end up in landfills and incinerators that also contributes to the growing concern of climate change; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia continues to strive to be a leader in environment and sustainability initiatives that will contribute to a healthier and efficient environment; and

WHEREAS, The Kenney administration has made the environment and sustainability a key part in its approach in developing Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Kenney administration introduced its “Greenworks” initiative that envisions a sustainable City where all Philadelphians: will have access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food and drinking water; breathe healthy air inside and outside; efficiently use clean energy that they can afford; are prepared for climate change and reduce in carbon pollution; benefit from parks, trees, stormwater management, and healthy waterways; have access to safe, affordable, and low-carbon transportation; and benefit from sustainability education, employment, and business opportunities; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, 21.7% of Philadelphians were food insecure. Food insecure house-holds lack access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Affordable, healthy food and drinking water reduce hunger, decrease diet-related diseases, and prolong life. The Philadelphia Water Department has committed to consistently produce high-quality drinking water, achieving Partnership for Safe Water quality standards that are far stricter than state and federal water quality regulatory requirements; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, Philadelphia buildings emitted 9.8 million metric tons of carbon pollution. To reduce energy costs and carbon pollution, the City of Philadelphia is working with PECO to explore a citywide LED streetlight conversion; and

WHEREAS, In efforts to implement air pollution controls, SEPTA piloted their new zero-emissions, battery electric buses in July 2016 and plans to use them on two South Philadelphia routes starting this year; and

WHEREAS, In 2015 the U.S. was a leading member of the Paris Climate Agreement sharing values of lower carbon emissions and cleaner energy economy. The U.S. must continue to lead the transition to a clean energy economy and empower citizens to build sustainable communities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council’s Committee on the Environment is hereby authorized to hold public hearings to investigate the current and future state of Philadelphia’s environment.

End