To: Chico City Council & candidates
We demand City Council move Chico to 100% Fossil Free by or before 2040.
This is a brief summary of a multi-page resolution started by Chico 350 and to be endorsed by as many local environmental and other concerned groups and individuals as possible. Chico's current Climate Action Plan ends 2020, with no public reports since 2015, meanwhile we experience droughts, water rationing, worsening pollution and health risks, extreme weather strengthening and wildfires. Furthermore the majority of our current representatives are climate deniers. In view of our climate crises and the need to draw down and reverse climate damages: THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Chico will actively oppose expansion of infrastructure whose primary purpose or effect is using more rather than less fossil fuels, transporting or storing fossil fuels in or through Chico or adjacent waterways; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Chico establishes goals to meet 100 percent of community-wide energy needs with renewable energy by 2040 with public reports proving progress by dates and benchmarks every 2 years; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution is binding City policy.
Why is this important?
We the people of Chico have experienced a recent five-year drought, extreme temperature rises, increased intensity of winds and wildfires while many of our state and local representatives are climate deniers. We are making a way for marginalized citizens who will suffer the most from devastating climate crises; youth, ill and disabled, elderly, women, indigenous people and people of color and low-income people. We need to make a fast and just transition to 100% renewable energy by or before 2040. We cannot afford any more climate and science-denying non-representation.