ADOPTED by the United Nations Association-USA, East Bay Chapter on 11 March, 2006.
The United Nations Association-USA, East Bay Chapter encourages, endorses, and supports the efforts of the counties and cities of Alameda and Contra Costa counties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol. Moreover, the UNA-USA, East Bay shall take measures to collaborate with the respective local initiatives and other civil society groups to promote awareness of and involvement in plans and activities that will improve the local environment and foster better stewardship of our planet and the well-being of future generations.
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1) The detrimental effects of global warming and historically-high greenhouse gas emissions are increasingly demonstrated as threats to our planet, its fresh-water supplies, vegetation patterns, and its inhabitants, as well as to localities including the coastal-lying East Bay. As a consequence, one hundred forty-one governments have ratified the Kyoto Protocol within the framework of a major United Nations initiative, and are taking steps already to apply its objectives and principles to reduce greenhouse gases.

2) The United Nations is recognized by all governments as facilitating the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol. The UN provides the comprehensive institutional framework for global consultations, promoting collective responsibilities and individual commitments, sharing of technology and best practices, and monitoring of accountability -- working with national and local entities. Moreover by unanimous approval in 2000, climate protection was adopted by all 191 United Nations Member States as one of the Millennium Development Goals.

3) Resolutions to act have been endorsed throughout the United States by cities, counties, NGOs, and others. These include:
a) The United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement of June, 2005, -- as a result of which over 200 cities (including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, Albany, Hayward) representing over 40 million people in nearly 40 states have adopted resolutions to reduce greenhouse gases.
b) The Alameda County Conference of Mayors resolution of November 2005 to "reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet or exceed established Kyoto Protocol targets" -- as a result of which a regional greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan is currently being formulated aimed at coordinated and collaborative actions among the 14 cities in the County.

4) Civil society -- residents, NGOs, business enterprises, and other groups -- has played important roles in other countries as well as in local US initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to protect their environment. They have contributed in two ways: by raising awareness and advocating commitments by political decision-makers and other authorities responsible for greenhouse gas emissions; and by mobilizing widespread involvement and collaboration in activities that reduce emissions, raise energy efficiency to protect the environment or otherwise reduce the threats of rapid climate change.
a) Cities for Climate Protection Program (administered by ICLEI with national headquarters in Oakland) developed a widely used methodology that embodies a process of identifying and inventorying local sources of greenhouse gas emissions and implementing targeted plans for their reduction.
b) KyotoUSA (also with HQ in Berkeley) is a strong advocate and supporter of local initiatives, key to raising awareness and affecting policy decisions.

The East Bay Chapter will establish a project for climate change and environment; administer a committee among interested Board members and within its membership; co-sponsor with partners city and county initiatives to advocate commitments, develop and implement plans, and raise awareness and action among residents, organizations and enterprises in the East Bay region.

"We the peoples of the United Nations determined... to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors..."
Preamble, United Nations Charter, 24 October 1945.