Climate Change: Burnaby is the latest city to sign a treaty to reduce dependence on fossil fuels

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Burnaby is now the latest city that has signed on to a worldwide treaty to recognize the climate crisis and the urgent need for fossil fuel reduction.

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Thursday’s unanimous vote of the City Council to endorse this measure was unanimous. Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation TreatyThe, which calls upon governments and corporations to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

Mayor Mike Hurley stated that the move builds upon the climate emergency declaration made by the city in 2019. Burnaby is also committed to a transformative plan for drastically reducing carbon emissions.

“But to avoid the worst effects of climate change, it is clear that the global community must support a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. That’s why the City of Burnaby is proud to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty,” he said, in a statement.

Coun. Joe Keithley proposed a motion to endorse this treaty at a regular council meeting, Jan. 24,

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Fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty aims to stop the proliferation and production of coal, oil, and gas. This includes ending all new exploration, phasing out current production of fossil fuels, and fast-track solutions.

“Thank you to the Burnaby residents and local activists who continue to advocate for our leaders to take decisive action to transition away from harmful fossil fuels,” said Keithley, in a statement.

“We’re proud to be adding our voices to the international ground swell of support for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

Burnaby is now the fifth B.C. The treaty is being endorsed by all five municipalities, including New Westminster, Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and District of West Vancouver.

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The accord has been signed by more than 1,000 businesses and organizations, as well as over 150,000 individuals. Barcelona was the first European major city to sign up to the treaty in 2011. More than 2,000 scientists and academics also signed a letter asking all governments to endorse the treaty.

As of Friday 32 major urban centresThe treaty has been endorsed by many countries, including Sydney, Australia, Toronto, Los Angeles and Buenos Aires.

The treaty This was launched in B.C. 2020, aims follow in the footsteps Nuclear Non-Proliferation TreatyBy treating fossil fuels as nuclear weapons and calling for a global effort to transition to clean energy.

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