Bill Text: NJ AR229 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges participation in Earth Hour 2017.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-03-23 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR229 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR229-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblyman ANDREW ZWICKER
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Urges participation in Earth Hour 2017.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution promoting Statewide participation in Earth Hour 2017.
Whereas, Earth Hour is an annual event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, during which people from all walks of life, in communities large and small, simultaneously dim their lights for one hour in order to "cast a vote in favor of action" to combat climate change, and to encourage the creation of a more sustainable economic and environmental future for the world; and
Whereas, From its inception in 2007 as a single-city initiative, Earth Hour has become a global phenomenon, and in 2016 alone, over 1.23 million individual actions were taken to help reduce climate change in more than 7,000 cities in 178 countries and territories worldwide; and
Whereas, In addition to garnering substantial support from the worldwide citizenry, Earth Hour was observed in 2016 by more than 400 iconic landmarks across the globe, including the Empire State Building and Times Square in New York City, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Acropolis in Athens, Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Birds Nest in Beijing, Table Mountain in Cape Town, the Kremlin in Moscow, and the Sydney Opera House; and
Whereas, Though Earth Hour has helped raise worldwide environmental awareness, the deleterious effects of climate change are expected to continue and worsen in future years, particularly for coastal communities which are projected to lose up to $7 trillion in buildings, transportation, and other assets by mid-century if climate change is not properly addressed; and
Whereas, Earth Hour 2017 is scheduled to take place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017, and the call for participation is particularly significant this year as it will mark the 10th anniversary of the event, celebrating the progress made on climate change awareness since the inception of Earth Hour; and
Whereas, In light of the fact that New Jersey, as a coastal state, will be faced with significant challenges arising from projected increases in global temperatures and sea levels, it is both reasonable and fitting for the State, its citizens, and its businesses, to stand in solidarity with others in this nation and throughout the world by participating in Earth Hour 2017, and by encouraging efforts to effectively curb global warming and create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for this State, the nation, and the world; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes that significant and detrimental consequences may result from unfettered climate change, and supports the World Wildlife Fund's efforts to encourage widespread national and global participation in Earth Hour 2017, thereby increasing awareness of, and promoting beneficial responses to, the problem of global warming.
In order to further the goals of this event, this House urges members of the public and businesses in this State to participate in Earth Hour 2017 by dimming the lights at their respective locations from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Wildlife Fund in the United States.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges Statewide participation in Earth Hour 2017, an annual event sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, during which people from all walks of life, in communities large and small, dim their lights for one hour in order to "cast a vote in favor of action" to combat climate change.
Since its inception in 2007 as a single-city initiative, Earth Hour has become a global phenomenon. In 2016 alone, over 1.23 million individual actions were taken to help reduce climate change in more than 7,000 cities in 178 countries and territories worldwide.
Earth Hour 2017 is scheduled to take place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017, and marks the 10th anniversary of Earth Hour. In light of the fact that New Jersey, as a coastal state, will be faced with significant challenges arising from projected increases in global temperatures and sea levels, it is both reasonable and fitting for the State, its citizens, and its businesses, to stand in solidarity with others in this nation and throughout the world by participating in Earth Hour 2017, and by encouraging efforts to effectively curb global warming and create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for this State, the nation, and the world.
