Environmental Stewardship Commission_Greenhouse Gas Emission Level 2030June 15, 2011
Honorable Mayor Roy Buol and
City Council Members
City Hall
50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque IA 52001
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members:
On behalf of the Environment Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC), I would like to
express our support for reducing Dubuque's greenhouse gas emissions 50% from 2003
levels by 2030.
According to research we've done, a 50% greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 is
consistent with the global reductions necessary to maintain a climate hospitable to
human health and welfare. Dubuque already has the tools necessary to achieve this
goal, and reduction opportunities will continue to grow over the next 20 years. Local
benefits to greenhouse gas reduction include significant improvements in health,
economic prosperity, and quality of life through improved air quality, innovative local
business and labor opportunities, and significant savings on fuel and energy costs,
among many others.
By quantifying greenhouse gas reduction actions, 50% by 2030 will provide a number of
key sustainability metrics for Dubuque that will enable the City to prioritize sustainability
initiatives, focus our efforts, and gauge our continuing progress.
50% by 2030 will empower the Dubuque community with the tools necessary to make
informed decisions about their climate impact and enable them to enjoy significant
savings while reducing their individual environmental impacts.
The most credible scientific research that exists concludes that time is of the essence in
terms of addressing greenhouse gas reduction. For this reason, we request that the city
council act as quickly as possible to vote to adopt the target of a 50% greenhouse gas
reduction by 2030.
Thank you for your consideration,
I d
Chad Oberdoerster, Chair
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
RECEIVED
11 JUN 15 PM 3:14
City CierK's Office
Dubuque, IA