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HomeMy WebLinkAbout90-131 - Resolutions RESOLUTION NO. 90-131 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS IN RECOGNITION OF EARTH DAY 1990 AND TO IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THESE RIGHTS WHEREAS, in the past 19 years since Earth Day 1970 (when most Americans learned the meaning of the term "environment"), the health of the environment has continued to decline; and WHEREAS, at the current rate of consumption, 80 percent of all the oil that will ever be burned will have been used during the lifetimes of people who are now alive; and WHEREAS, we are more than ever a throwaway society, discarding about 5 pounds of garbage per person per day; and WHEREAS, we are adding millions of tons of hazardous wastes to the environment' every year with 2.4 billion pounds of toxics pumped into the air in 1988 alone; and WHEREAS, most scientists now agree that, because of the growth in carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere, significant global warming will occur which may have serious consequences to many forms of life - a problem which will become even more severe with continued growth; and WHEREAS, the emission of CFC's into the atmosphere has created a dangerous 40 percent drop in Antarctic ozone, creating increased radiation and serious impacts on all forms of life, including the human species; and WHEREAS, toxic air emissions are reducing the pH levels of lakes around the nation, resulting in the destruction of many aquatic species; and WHEREAS, all of these problems are a result of inefficiency and waste, and the solutions to the problems will promote economic efficiency and economic growth; and WHEREAS, there are many opportunities open to local government to address these critical problems. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga does hereby resolve and adopts the following Declaration of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities in recognition of Earth Day 1990, along with a statement of commitment to implement programs designed to protect these environmental rights and meet these responsibilities. Environmental Rights All human beings have the right to clean and healthful air, to clean and healthful water, to the maintenance of productive soils, and to an organization of human activities with respect to the environment, that prevents Resolution No. 90-131 Page 2 extinction of forms of life, the degradation of the living and non-living resources of the earth, and the sustainability of the use of the earth's resources, so that ample resources will exist for generations to come. Environmental Responsibilities In order to achieve the rights declared herein, the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga recognizes the following responsibilities: 1. The City of Rancho Cucamonga has the responsibility to make a major contribution to solving regional and global environmental and material resource problems by adopting programs and policies which conserve resources and avoid the generation of wastes which pollute our water, land and air. 2. These local programs and policies should address: a. Energy conservation and renewable energy production. b. Solid waste reduction, reuse and recycling. c. Reduction in the use of hazardous substances and the reuse and recycling of hazardous wastes. d. Increased use of transportation management systems and the reduction of transportation needs through improved planning. BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga recognizes that the implementation of these programs will substantially improve the ability of local governments to protect public health and safety and promote prosperity. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 21st day of March, 1990. AYES: Alexander, Brown, Buquet, Stout NOES: None ABSENT: Wright B~. ~_ ennis L. Stout, Mayor Resolution No. 90-131 Page 3 ATTE ST: · da~ City Clerk I, DEBRA J. ADAMS, CITY CLERK of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, California, at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the 21st day of March, 1990. Executed this 22nd day of March, 1990 at Rancho Cucamonga, California.