File #: Res 1567-2021    Version: * Name: United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection
On agenda: 3/18/2021
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the United States Senate to ratify, and the President to sign, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
Sponsors: Helen K. Rosenthal, James F. Gennaro, Robert E. Cornegy, Jr., Darma V. Diaz, Carlos Menchaca, Brad S. Lander, Farah N. Louis, Diana I. Ayala
Council Member Sponsors: 8
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 1567, 2. March 18, 2021 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 3-18-21, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - March 18, 2021
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2021*Helen K. Rosenthal City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
3/18/2021*Helen K. Rosenthal City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
3/18/2021*Helen K. Rosenthal City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1567

 

Resolution calling on the United States Senate to ratify, and the President to sign, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

 

By Council Members Rosenthal, Gennaro, Cornegy, D. Diaz, Menchaca, Lander, Louis and Ayala

 

Whereas, On September 30, 2020, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General expressed that “Wildlife populations are plummeting because of overconsumption, population growth and intensive agriculture,” emphasizing that “biodiversity and ecosystems are essential for human progress and prosperity” during the UN Biodiversity Summit hosted in New York City; and

Whereas, The loss of biodiversity means the loss of ecosystems and ecological life that provide oxygen, clean air and water, and pollination for plants to enable a sustainable habitat for life, according to the New York State Department of Parks & Recreation; and

Whereas, Growing urbanization in the metropolitan region has elevated climate change, endangering crop yields and fishery productivity in New York, according to Columbia University’s Earth Institute; and

Whereas, According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, food security, health and nutrition, are all dependent on biodiversity; and

Whereas, According to City Harvest, food insecurity in New York City has risen 38 percent in 2020; and

Whereas, New York City must incorporate biodiversity planning into the city's resiliency and green infrastructure efforts in order to maintain a sustainable living environment and combat ecological threats, according to the American Institute of Biological Sciences; and

Whereas, The UN Convention on Biological Diversity is a multinational treaty that calls on its signatories to conserve biodiversity, as it underpins essential ecosystem functioning; and

Whereas, The importance of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity is further supported by the fact that it has been ratified by all UN member states, with the United States being the only exception; and

Whereas, As climate change continues to impact wildlife, agriculture and urban landscape in New York City and beyond, the United States must reaffirm its commitment to the conservation of biodiversity ahead of the 2021 UN Summit on Biodiversity; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Senate to ratify, and the President to sign, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

 

 

AH

LS #17175

03/11/2020