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S USTAINABILITY, C LIMATE, E QUITY, A ND R ESILIENCE § 37-1-1 <br />CHAPTER 37 <br />SUSTAINABILITY, CLIMATE, EQUITY, AND RESILIENCE <br />Article 1. General Provisions. <br />Section 37-1-1. Title. <br />This chapter shall be known as the “sustainability, climate, equity, and resilience <br />code.” <br />(2023, ord 23-56, sec 3.)37-1-1 <br />Section 37-1-2. Declaration of policy. <br />It is declared to be the policy of the County to address sustainability, climate <br />change, equity, and resilience in the County through immediate, direct, and coordinated <br />trauma-informed action. To this end, the office of sustainability, climate, equity, and <br />resilience is created to coordinate and manage policies and programs to address <br />sustainability, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and adapt to the impacts of climate <br />change and other natural and human caused hazards. Through regular stakeholder <br />engagement these policies and programs shall promote the County’s sustainability and <br />resilience in a manner that is immediate, direct, coordinated, and equitable in their <br />impact on various communities in the County. <br />(2023, ord 23-56, sec 3; am 2024, ord 24-8, sec 2.)37-1-2 <br />Section 37-1-3. Definitions. <br />As used in this chapter, unless it is apparent from the context that a different <br />meaning is intended: <br />“Adaptation” means the process of observing changes in social, environmental, and <br />economic systems and adjusting operations with a trauma informed approach to meet <br />present and anticipated future needs. <br />“Climate change impacts” means the effect on social, economic, and environmental <br />systems that are caused by human-driven climate change including, but not limited to, <br />increases in natural disaster severity, unstable and extreme weather patterns, and loss <br />of native ecosystems. <br />“Environmental justice” means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of <br />all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, <br />regulations, and policies. <br />“Equity” means the consideration of cumulative impacts on lower- and middle- <br />income individuals and historically marginalized groups during all aspects of decision <br />making, including and not limited to assessment, planning, implementation, and <br />evaluation. <br />“Mitigation” means actions and strategies aimed at reducing the risk of harm and <br />damage to human communities, natural ecosystems, infrastructure, and the economy <br />due to the impacts of climate change. These actions and strategies shall include but not <br />be limited to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and removal of greenhouse gases <br />from the atmosphere. <br />SUPP. 16 (7-2024) <br />37-1 <br /> <br />