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