Whereas there is scientific consensus, as established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and confirmed by the National Academy of Sciences, that the build-up of greenhouse gases from human sources, including carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere is causing global temperatures to increase and threaten the stability of our planet’s climate; and

Whereas the impacts of global climate change are becoming more clearly understood and indicate that there will be significant disruptions in the natural hydrological cycle in various regions of the world, including extreme and more frequent wet weather events; increased flooding due to higher precipitation; severe and more frequent drought; increased water temperatures; and rising sea levels leading to saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers; and

Whereas the occurrence of any of these hydrological changes will have significant impacts on water quality and supply, and will impact how water resources are managed by local water resources managers, including water and wastewater treatment providers; and

Whereas the Water Environment Federation is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the global water environment and has a responsibility to lead efforts to mitigate and reduce the impacts of global climate change among water quality professionals;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Water Environment Federation directs that:

WEF Committees are charged with identifying and disseminating information about the scientific, technical and management approaches to treatment processes, plant design, and utility operations that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and, the management of the hydrological impacts of climate change.

WEF collaborate with other scientific, technical, and water utility organizations, to identify and implement practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from water and wastewater treatment processes, and identify ways in which water resource managers can plan for the challenges of global climate change.

Be it further resolved that WEF urges municipal wastewater treatment agencies, WEF Member Associations, and other member constituencies to become leaders in their communities on reducing and mitigating climate change.