Robbinsdale, Golden Valley Declare Climate Emergency
This week Robbinsdale and Golden Valley joined other Minnesota cities in “Declaring a Climate Emergency Impacting the Environment, Economy and Human Health.”
The resolution brings awareness to the issue, reaffirms it as a city priority, and acts as a tool to ask state and federal leaders for funding and mitigation. A summary of the Golden Valley resolution clarified that the term “emergency” is different than other emergency orders. The summary read, “a Climate Emergency declaration differs from other types of local, state, and federal emergency declarations, which are typically issued in response to acute disasters such as floods, tornadoes, or the COVID-19 pandemic, and typically unlock emergency relief funding. This would not apply when declaring a Climate Emergency. Rather, this resolution is a tool to increase awareness and send a clear message about the City’s priorities, commitments, and actions.”
Golden Valley mayor Shep Harris highlighted the flooding in the Decola Ponds neighborhoods as evidence of local climate change.
Robbinsdale mayor Bill Blonigan told the council it’s a way to get more serious about climate change. You can read the full resolution in the Robbinsdale meeting agenda packet here.
