Item M03
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGF.NDA T'T'F.M SUMMARY
Meeting Date:
'Ma rc h J S - J 6. /. 000
Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes
No
x
Department: DjRt.ricr. Fivp.
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Resolution for for the BOCC to agree to work with the
Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) to reduce the threat of global
Warming. (see attached documentation from the World Wildlife Fund)
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Ezra Millstein, Program Officer of the World Wildlife
Fund has met with all BOCC members and has presented them with a folder of
background information.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
TOTAL COST:
N/A
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
YEAR
APPROVED BY: County Attorney
OMB/Purchasing Risk Mgt.
~ Fa; kkd Ira
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
MARY KAY RETCH. CommiRRionp.r
DOCUMENTATION: Included:
x
To Follow:
Not Required:
DISPOSITION:
AGF.NDA I'T'F.M #
~
"~K-~~-~~ l~'~r rROM.MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE 10.3052923516
PAGE
1/2
Commissioner Mary Kay Reich
RESOLUTION NO.
-2000
A RESOLUllON AGREEING TO WORK WITH THE A.SSOCIATION OF
SMALL ISLAND STATES (AOSIS) TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMIN6 AND
AGREEING TO SEND A COUNTY DELEGATE TO A CUMATE CHANGE
CONFERENCE, AT THE EXPeNSE OF THE WORLD WILWFE FUND, TO
BE HELD AT THE HAGUE. NETHERLANDS.
WHEREAS. global warming poses a serious threat to the citttehS, natural resources and
economy of Monroe County; and
WHEREAS. the impacts of global warming will include sea-Ievlel rise, coral bleaching, and
increased hurricane f~queney and intensi1y; and
WHEREAS. the Coun1y Commission acknowledges the importc>>'lu of the globel worming
issue in the County: and
WHEREAS, the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) is an ad-hoc group of states
that work together to protect small islands from global warming and other environmental
thrects;ond
WHEREAS, the County Commission wishes to protect the County from the thre4t of
global warming: now, therefore
BE IT RESOL VE.D BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The above recitals ore ratified and adopted by this reference.
Section Z. The Board recognizes the threat of global worming to Monroe County.
"~K-~~-~~ 1~.37 FROM.MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE 10.3052923516
PACE 2/2
Section 3. The Board hereby agrees to work with AOSIS to reduce the threat of
global warming.
Section 4. Subject to payment by the World Wildlife Fund, the Board agrees to send
a delegate to Cl portion of the UN Conference of the PClrties, sixth Session (COP6), November 13
- 24, 2000 at The Hague, Netherlands, to address climate change issues. World Wildlife Fund
agrees to pay for this trove I.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of. County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the
day of March, 2000.
Mayor Shirley Freeman
Commissioner Wilhelmina Harvey
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Mary Kay Reich
Commissioner Nora Williams
(SEAL.)
Attest: DANNY L.KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE CO UN TV, FLORIDA
By
Deputy Clerk
By
Mayor/Chairperson
Jc:rasmallislcs
Mar-01-00 02:13P World Wildlife Fund
954 921 7810
P.02
~
WWF
March I, 2000
Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida
Dear Commissioners,
I am writing to let you know of World Wildlife Fund's commitment to helping the Keys protect themselves
from global warming. Our work on this issue is needed now more than ever; as the threat of global warming is
becoming prominent in the Keys, bringing with it the potential to endanger the environment. important natural
resources, homes, businesses and public health.
The Keys have the potential to become a national, even international leader in the face of this threat. There
are unique opportunities for the Keys to be an integral pan of global warming solutions; the area is
precious not only to Conchs, but to people from around the world, who take refuge in the beautiful tropical
climate. on beaches. in turquoise waters, and among the biologically diverse and fascinating coral reefs.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) appreciates the diversity oflife in Florida, and especially the Keys. With
over 75,000 members throughout the state, we have identified Florida as a top geographic priority. We
have been working here for many years; our South Florida/Everglades Program (based in Hollywood) has
been working on Everglades issues since 1994, while our staff in the Keys, working out of Marathon. has
over 20 years of Florida conservation experience. We are now expanding efforts to organize grass roots
support, educate the public, and advocate for both comprehensive restoration of the Everglades ecosystem
and policies to curb global warming throughout Florida. Florida has the only WWF Climate Change field
office in the entire United States, which is an indication of how important Florida is to WWF. how serious
the threat of global warming is to the state, and the opportunity Florida has to become a leader in the fight
against this global problem.
An important way to address this problem is through the international negotiations of the Kyoto Protocol, a
1997 treaty through which countries around the world are banding together to meet the challenge of global
warming. One renowned international organization that works on the negotiations of this important treaty
is the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS). This organization is a coalition of 42 small island
states, from all regions of the world, which share common objectives on environmental and sustainable
development matters. The organization has taken a stand on global warming, as small islands have a great
deal to lose from the impacts of this threat; the impacts include sea level rise, beach erosion, loss of
habitat, species, reef damage, loss of tourism income, and increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes.
These are all impacts that will affect the Keys if global warming is not mitigated. AOSIS has stated that
industrialised countries. in line with their historical responsibility in the build up of greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere, must set significant legally-binding emissions reductions targets for the
short term as well as for later years. The AOSIS target ofa 20 percent cut in C02 emissions by 2005 was
the first target on the negotiating table, and remains the most ambitious. The organization strongly believes
that their target is economically feasible, politically justifiable, and environmentally vital.
World Wildlife Fund
1250 Twenty-Fourth St.. NW Washington. DC 20037-1 132 USA
T~I: (202)293-4800 Fax: (202)293-9211
www.worldwildlifc.org
.4ffiliaTnJ with World Wide Fundfor Nature
<1}
Prt,,"e$,)'e,J CJ,J(llin,..l-'r~c Rt'C).c/ed Paper
Mar-01-00 02:13P World Wildlife Fund
954 921 7810
P.03
On behalf of the WWF Climate Change Campaign, I encourage the Monroe County Commission. as a
representative of the Florida Keys, to work with AOSIS. This will give you an opportunity to have an
impact on global warming public policy and awareness, ultimately affecting the outcome of negotiations
that will have a dramatic effect on the future of the Keys. This will set the Florida Keys apart as a
national, even international leader in the fight against this problem. Working with AOSIS has no financial
or other requirements; they are solely a group of like-minded people working for change. WWF will work
with you through this process, and we will fund a representative from the Keys to attend the UN
Conference of the Parties, sixth session (COP6). November 13 - 24, 2000 at The Hague. Netherlands. The
Keys will be involved in these important negotiations and work alongside nations and organizations to
solve the problem of global warming.
Thank you for your time. If you have any questions on this matter, please call me at (954) 921-7599.
Best regards.
~'-- /U,0:-~)
Ez~iIIstejn
Program Officer
World Wildlife Fund
Climate Change Campaign
1909 Hamson Street. Suite 207
Hollywood. FL 33020