Bill Text: NJ SR133 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges NJ Governor to join U.S. Climate Alliance.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-26 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR133 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SR133-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT M. GORDON
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Senator BRIAN P. STACK
District 33 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Urges NJ Governor to join U.S. Climate Alliance.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the Governor of New Jersey to join the United States Climate Alliance, formed in response to President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.
Whereas, The Paris Climate Accord, also known as the "Paris Agreement," which was agreed to by nearly every country in the world, is the first global pact aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to avert the worst effects of climate change; and
Whereas, The Paris Agreement, unlike previous pacts, requires every country to take action to lower greenhouse gas emissions rather than differentiating between developed and developing countries; and
Whereas, Although scientists have estimated that at best, the agreement will only cut greenhouse gas emissions by half of what is necessary to avoid an increase in atmospheric temperatures enough to prevent a cascade of devastating consequences, the agreement represents a turning point for the world and will cause fundamental shifts in global financial and energy markets; and
Whereas, The Paris Agreement sent a powerful signal that the world is committed to a low carbon future; and
Whereas, The climate change caused by rising global temperatures will likely: increase the frequency, severity, and duration of heat waves, creating a greater risk for heat-related illnesses and deaths, especially among the elderly, very young, disabled, and poor; increase the intensity of hurricanes creating stronger peak winds and increased rainfall; increase the risk of flooding within storm-affected areas and increase the risk of drought in areas located outside storm tracks; and continue to decrease the size of polar ice sheets and land-based glaciers, causing sea levels to rise and contribute to enhanced coastal erosion, coastal flooding, and the loss of coastal wetlands; and
Whereas, Under the Paris Agreement, every participating country agreed to submit an individual plan to tackle its greenhouse gas emissions and to report regularly on its emissions and progress made in implementing and achieving its nationally determined contributions; and
Whereas, President Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement will assuredly weaken global efforts to avoid drastic climate change; and
Whereas, The Trump administration has already communicated its intention to dismantle domestic plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as protections to reduce gas emissions from the methane gas emissions from oil and gas production and the plan to reduce emissions from power plants; and
Whereas, In response to President Trump's announcement of his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, the Governors of California, New York, and Washington have announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance, a coalition to convene states committed to upholding the Paris Agreement and to taking aggressive action to address climate change; and
Whereas, Together California, New York, and Washington represent about 68 million people, or one-fifth of the country's population, and account for nearly 10 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in the country; and
Whereas, In addition, 85 mayors, 82 presidents and chancellors of universities, and the leaders of over 100 businesses have pledged to continue to meet the United States' greenhouse gas emissions targets despite the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the agreement; and
Whereas, The United States Climate Alliance will act as a forum to sustain and strengthen existing climate programs, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and develop and implement new programs to reduce carbon emissions; and
Whereas, The United States Climate Alliance is committed to upholding the Paris Agreement and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the disastrous repercussions of unchecked climate change for the United States and the planet; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the Governor of New Jersey to join the United States Climate Alliance and take a leadership role in protecting the citizens of New Jersey and the United States, the environment, and the planet from the devastating effects of climate change.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor of New Jersey, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the President and Vice-President of the United States, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the Governor of New Jersey to join the United States Climate Alliance, a group of governors, mayors, and business leaders committed to meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, also known as the "Paris Agreement." The Paris Agreement is a landmark international agreement reached in 2015 between 195 countries aimed at reducing carbon emissions, slowing rising global temperatures, and helping countries deal with the effects of climate change. It is critical that this country remain a participant in this global effort to reduce carbon emissions. The Governor is urged to take a leadership role and to continue efforts to uphold the Paris Agreement and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the disastrous repercussions of unchecked climate change.
