By: Burnam H.R. No. 928

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Global warming constitutes a grave 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' carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion ranks 7th in the world; 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 as a result of 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 enormous threat to our planet that climate change poses; 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 grave threat posed by 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, furthermore, be it

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.