WHEREAS:

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (UN-IPCC), like other notable scientific research institutions, has found that “human-caused climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe” which has “led to widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people.” UN-IPCC adds that “vulnerable communities who have historically contributed the least to current climate change are disproportionately affected;” and

WHEREAS:

Experts including the UN-IPCC recognize the key role of workers and their unions in addressing climate change, finding that “effective local, municipal, national, and subnational institutions build consensus for climate action among diverse interests, enable coordination, and inform strategy setting but require adequate institutional capacity;” and

WHEREAS:

The impacts of climate change have already negatively impacted public health, state and local government budgets, housing quality and insurance and public infrastructure, costing the United States $150 billion a year, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment report. Climate change is causing an increase in the number and the severity of extreme weather events that AFSCME members respond to such as wildfires, flooding and infrastructure damage. Additional federal investment is necessary to support the work AFSCME members perform to prepare and protect our communities from the impacts of climate change; and

WHEREAS:

Climate change impacts communities of color and other marginalized groups at disproportionate rates. For example, the legacy of exclusionary housing policies has left more Black and brown Americans in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, or in neighborhoods with less green space to lower heat island effects in hot weather. This makes the impacts of climate change another manifestation of ongoing environmental racism and injustice; and

WHEREAS:

Worsening climate conditions have impacted AFSCME members across the country including correctional officers working in hotter conditions without access to air conditioning, firefighters combating stronger wildfires, nurses treating patients impacted by more frequent natural disasters and extreme weather events, sanitation workers completing their routes in record high temperatures, park rangers managing ecological disruptions, public works staff dealing with flooding and transportation workers forced to more frequently repair damaged infrastructure, among many others; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME members are uniquely placed to play a leadership role on climate change action at the local, state and national levels due to their work in a variety of jobs that contribute to climate change mitigation, resiliency and response; and

WHEREAS:

The Biden administration has implemented the Justice40 Initiative which ensures that 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments in climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing and other needs will flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME members across the country are organizing and taking political action to advocate for a just transition to a green economy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME reaffirms our commitment to supporting policies to reduce carbon emissions and environmental justice legislation, regulations and grassroots efforts to combat climate change and environmental racism and to address the historic disproportionate harm done to marginalized communities with regard to their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

AFSCME pledges to support legislation, policies, regulations and executive orders that call for public investments aimed at creating and supporting high-quality, green, union jobs, strengthening the resiliency of communities in preparing for and responding to climate change-fueled extreme weather events and financially supporting state and local governments impacted by the changing climate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

AFSCME will broadly support efforts by the U.S. presidential administration to accelerate clean energy, create new jobs, lower costs and achieve the Justice40 Initiative goals; and                              

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

AFSCME will encourage and support our members to stand in solidarity with the wider clean energy and environmental justice movement that unites leaders in the labor movement with leaders in the gender, racial, immigrant and economic justice movements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME affiliates are encouraged to establish Climate Action and Environmental Justice Committees or caucuses to develop a comprehensive plan to address climate impacts in our workplaces and in our communities.  As appropriate, the plan shall include collective bargaining and policy advocacy at the state and local levels and the further development of relationships with labor, community groups and environmental justice allies. The International Union shall provide technical assistance to such committees or caucuses upon request of an affiliate; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That the International Union shall convene video conferences on at least a semi-annual basis so that affiliates can share best practices, provide reports on developments and provide guidance for the development of national climate action and environmental justice policy.

SUBMITTED BY:
Marybeth Kaczynski-Hill, President and Delegate
Daisy Sanchez, Recording Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Local 2663, Council 4
Connecticut

Mike Yestramski, President and Delegate
Tracy Stanley, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Council 28
Washington

Jacqueline Tate, President and Delegate
Grant Swanson, Secretary and Delegate
AFSCME Local 88, Council 75
Oregon

Frederick Yungbluth, Jr., President
Meredith Hickman, Secretary
AFSCME Council 75
Oregon

Connie Canterbury, Delegate
AFSCME Local 51, Council 31
Illinois

Rebecca Freed, Delegate
AFSCME Local 375, District Council 37
New York

Richard Kowalczyk, President and Delegate
Kimberly Creedon, Secretary-Treasurer and Delegate
AFSCME Local 3599, District Council 37
New York

Lorraine Barcant, 1st Vice President and Delegate
Andy Jordan, 2nd Vice President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 1740, District Council 37
New York

Thomas Orawiec, Delegate
Sheera Glass, Delegate
James Whooley, Delegate
Juliet White, Delegate
AFSCME Local 154, District Council 37
New York