The momentum building for meaningful action on climate change on the national level was reflected in East Hampton on Tuesday, when the town board heard, and responded enthusiastically to, a recommendation from its energy sustainability committee to declare a climate emergency, something 1,874 jurisdictions in 33 countries have already done.
"We are facing the destruction of private and public property from rising sea levels and ever fiercer storms, saltwater contamination of household and municipal wells, warming ocean waters and the resulting acidification, among dozens of other challenges brought on by this crisis," Paul Munoz, vice chairman of the committee, told the board. "We therefore must declare that it is imperative to make fossil-fuel elimination and an immediate transition to clean energy the measure and the standard by which every possible decision is made at the town level from here forward."
Biddle Duke, a member of the committee, read its proposed resolution endorsing a climate declaration. Such an action would commit the town board to "make climate mitigation and the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions a guiding principle and objective of all municipal operations," including policy and purchasing decisions, planning and zoning rules and decisions, and every other aspect of town business, "for the foreseeable future."
Under the resolution, the Natural Resources Department and energy sustainability committee would update the town's 2015 Climate Action Plan to guide its implementation, with the goal of meeting 100 percent of energy consumption with renewable sources by 2030, "thereby vastly reducing the town's greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating adaptation and resilience strategies in preparation for intensifying local climate impacts and ensuring a just transition for residents," Mr. Duke read.
The effects of climate change, he told the board, "will continue to damage and endanger East Hampton infrastructure, property, livelihoods and coastline, will continue to harm our farms and natural environment, hurt our fishing industry due to acidification and species decline and migration, spread invasive species and diseases, contaminate drinking water supplies, reduce recreational opportunities, and pose health threats to our citizens."
The resolution emphasizes coordination across departments as well as between the town and state governments, and engagement with residents as well as town departments and staff, "to implement, adapt, and expand the town's Climate Action Plan and all climate mitigation efforts."
"Your valuable moment of public service," Mr. Munoz told the board, "coincides with the greatest and most complex challenge humanity has ever faced."
Tuesday's presentation followed legislation introduced in the House and Senate last week that would direct President Biden to declare a national climate emergency. Mr. Biden has already signed executive orders aimed at combating the effects of climate change, and has recommitted the United States to the Paris climate agreement.
Several other members of the committee called in to the virtual meeting to urge the resolution's adoption. East Hampton was the first town in the state to set a goal of meeting its energy needs with renewable sources, recalled Linda James, a former chairwoman. "Now, the town board again has the opportunity to demonstrate its climate change leadership by declaring a climate emergency, and I strongly support the passage of this declaration."
"It's a lot to take in, and it's also very simple," Councilwoman Sylvia Overby said of the committee's recommendation. "I hope this town board moves forward with looking at this and considering and adopting it."
Climate change is "an imminent, existential threat," said Councilman Jeff Bragman, referring to the Anthropocene Epoch, an unofficial interval of geologic time in which human activity began to alter the planet. "It can't hurt to have our small town lend a big voice to the issue."
"I wholeheartedly support the resolution," said Councilwoman Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. "We are in a climate emergency."
Councilman David Lys also voiced his support, speaking of seeing the world through the eyes of his children. Ms. Overby said the same of her grandchildren. "I want them to live on the same type of planet that I lived on," she said.
Manifestations of climate change are "everywhere to be seen," said Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, citing southern pine beetle infestations in Northwest Woods, more virulent storms, coastal erosion, harmful algal blooms in waterways, and the loss of marine habitat because of warming waters. "We might want to take a little time to further digest the actual language of it," he said, but declaring a climate emergency would represent "a major step in terms of acknowledging where we are and where we need to go."
