The governing council of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians has approved a resolution declaring a climate emergency. The vote took place at a special meeting held during an assembly at Chief Leschi Schools, with all grades of the schools gathered around.
Tribal Council member Annette Bryan says the Puyallup formally recognized climate change and began working on adaptation plans in 2016. But this goes further.
“What’s different about it is this is a law. This resolution now becomes a law of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, all the entities of the government,” Bryan said. “This is moving us forward into action, not just words in a report.”
In a special meeting at Chief Leschi Schools, the governing council of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians has approved its resolution, declaring a #climateemergency pic.twitter.com/tLnNTFX2Yo
— Bellamy Pailthorp (@KNKXBellamy) December 10, 2019
The resolution outlines what it calls "appropriate steps" to keep the increase in global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius. It sets a goal of transitioning off fossil fuels by 2035. And, unlike Tacoma's resolution, it does seek to prohibit new or expanded fossil fuel infrastructure.
The Puyallup is believed to be the first tribe in the U.S. to declare a climate emergency.
