Warrensburg Council Tables Request to Join Paris Climate Accord

The Warrensburg City Council tabled a request to join the Paris Climate Accord on Monday night. 

The request was made by a trio of members from the Johnson County Citizens for Environmental Action (CEA) near the start of the Council meeting on Monday night.

Steve Mohler, treasurer for the group,  was the first speaker to address the Council. “It’s about our future generation,” he said. It’s not a partisan position.”

The group had formally requested that Warrensburg “honor the initiatives and goals” of the accord. A total of 189 nations have agreed to the Paris Climate Accord, including the United States in 2015, but the US has since pulled out at the direction of President Trump. The letter sent to the Council on Sept. 5 also asked that "educational, businesses and agencies join the effort and make the necessary plans to meet the goals of the Paris agreement."

The CEA also pledged to do their part by reducing their personal greenhouse gas emissions.

Mohler urged the Council to “support all that we can do to mitigate and decrease the effects of climate change,” adding that he personally wants to leave the place he grew up a better place. “The real difference is going to be made right here at home,” he said, adding that UCM has already agreed to the accord.

CEA member Phil Miller noted that to date, 377 American cities of all sizes have signed onto the Paris Climate Accord. He was asked by Councilman Bob Watts how that would be accomplished in Johnson County. Miller briefly explained the accord and noted that such things as making energy—saving choices for lighting, HVAC and using hybrid cars are examples of accomplishing the goals.

Councilman Casey Lund said that he is on board with it. “We can definitely do our part,” he said, adding that a task force would be something he would recommend to help realistically meet the goals. City Manager Harold Stewart added that city leaders set the priorities and then the staff can help them achieve that.

Vernon Elsberry, president of the Johnson County CEA, urged the Council to consider every decision they make with respect to global warming. “We can make a huge difference,” he said.

The Council agreed to table the issue until November, and gather more information in the meantime.