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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Global warming could be a threat to the vibrant |
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Texas economy and to the quality of life that Texans currently |
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enjoy; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2007 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate |
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Change (IPCC) concluded that global warming was most likely caused |
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by increases in greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas, with the ninth largest economy in the world, |
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ranks seventh in the world in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil |
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fuel combustion; and |
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WHEREAS, In January of 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey |
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concluded that temperatures are rising faster than predicted and |
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that "the Southwestern United States may be entering a period of |
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increased drought"; and |
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WHEREAS, Recent projections by the Environmental Protection |
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Agency indicate that the Gulf of Mexico could rise between one and |
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five feet by 2100, possibly due to climate change, threatening |
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nearly one-quarter of the state's population living on or near the |
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Texas coast; and |
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WHEREAS, Changing climate patterns also pose a serious threat |
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to the state's $14 billion agricultural industry; and |
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WHEREAS, Scientists predict that multiple effects will |
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result from projected temperature increases, including more |
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heat-related fatalities, higher ozone concentrations in urban |
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areas, more wildfires, increased incidences of tropical diseases, |
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and other public health implications; and |
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WHEREAS, Earth Hour began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, when |
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2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one |
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hour as a response to the concern that climate change may pose to |
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our planet; and |
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WHEREAS, Earth Hour has grown into a global sustainability |
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movement as a part of which 50 million people switched off their |
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lights last year; and |
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WHEREAS, Earth Hour seeks to educate individuals about the |
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serious concern of climate change and urges the U.S. administration |
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to lead the global effort to curb deforestation, a principal cause |
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of climate change, and to promote the creation of a low carbon |
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economy through renewable energy sources and improved energy |
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efficient standards; and |
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WHEREAS, 825 cities in 80 countries have already agreed to |
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participate in Earth Hour 2009; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby express its enthusiastic support for Earth Hour, |
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March 28, 2009, and urge all Texas citizens to participate in this |
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effort by turning their lights off from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Central |
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Standard Time; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives participate in |
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this important effort by turning off the Capitol dome lights from |
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8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. |
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Burnam |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1083 was adopted by the House on March |
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26, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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