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Proposed by: |
Councillor Jasmin Chowdhury |
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Seconded by: |
Councillor Dilwar Ali |
As the worst flooding to hit South Asia in living memory leads to over 70% of the land submerged in northeast region of Bangladesh with more than 7 million people displaced, more than 1,100 people killed in Pakistan this summer while thousands more are injured and displaced, we are reminded once again of the devastating impacts of climate change. Having declared a climate emergency in 2019 Cardiff Council:
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Recognises that now more than ever before we are linked to people and environment across the world and that our choices and behaviour can make a significant difference in saving lives, livelihood as well as in averting global public health and environmental crisis.
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Notes that whilst people in the more affluent nations in the world are responsible for the majority of global carbon emissions, people in the poorer nations will suffer the most devastating impacts. Building the resilience through adaptability, social justice and sustainable development is critical for tackling climate injustices.
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Note that countries like Bangladesh are highly vulnerable to rising sea level, drought and stronger cyclones. For example, it is estimated that by 2050 sea level around Bangladesh could rise by 50cm and that would mean the country losing 17% of its land with homes, schools and in some instances the entire villages being lost. That will displace over 20 million people.
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Notes that the city of Cardiff has a long history of settlement from south Asia with 3rd/4th generation now being born and growing up here. As over 70% of Sylhet in the northeast has been submerged in the recent flood, many of the Bangladeshis in Cardiff who originate from Sylhet are extremely concerned about the survival and welfare of family, relatives and friends.
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Applauds the efforts of groups such as European Action Group on Climate Change in Bangladesh (EAGCCB) and the wider community efforts in Cardiff and beyond, who are coming together to raise awareness as well as funds to rebuild the lives and communities.
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Refers to our commitment to One Planet Cardiff – a strategic response to the climate emergency and commends all the efforts that are being made to keep us on track to meet our targets for carbon emissions.
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Has a responsibility under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to act in a globally responsible way. From Africa to the Middle East, Philippines, Japan, Australia and Germany, no region will be spared from the catastrophic impacts of climate change.The science is unequivocal; a global increase of 1.5C above the pre-industrial average and the continued loss of biodiversity risk catastrophic harm to health that will be impossible to reverse. Urgent, society-wide changes must be made and to create a fairer and healthier world.
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Cardiff Council resolves to:
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Raising awareness about the devastating impacts of climate change and our call to action to change attitudes, mindset and behaviour through meaningful engagement. We commit to being a globally responsible city and ensure our approach to tackling climate crisis acknowledges the interconnectivity and interdependency of the world we live in.
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Support the development of global citizenship by:
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Promoting Eco-schools and other educational interventions to engage schools and to empower young people to be ethically informed citizens of Wales and the World as part of the new national curriculum.
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Investigate partnering with projects overseas where the impacts of the global climate crisis are being felt, for example in the tropics.
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Create opportunities to share, exchange and learn from environmental experts through inclusive interactive sessions in schools and workplaces on practical steps we can all take to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience.
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Recognise that learning to be responsible global citizens requires peopleto understand the need to consider the impact that their choices will have on the environment and people around the world and how their actions can make a difference.
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Encouraging more people to become ‘carbon literate’ so people can make informed choices about our own carbon footprint and understand the impact of climate change.
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Support and promote the ambition for Cardiff to become carbon neutral and the actions we can all take, including:
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Using more sustainable travel options such as cycling, walking and public transport
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Producing less waste and reusing and recycling wherever we can |
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Being mindful of the energy we use in our homes and businesses
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Embrace diversity through a public engagement and participation strategy so that all residents of Cardiff can share the aspiration and desire for creating a greener, stronger and fairer city we can all take pride in.
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