ACR174

A Concurrent Resolution promoting Statewide participation in Earth Hour 2011.

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 in order 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 quickly become a global phenomenon, and in 2010 alone, over one billion people from more than 4,500 cities in over 125 countries worldwide – including 90 million Americans from all 50 states – participated in the event; and

Whereas, In addition to garnering extreme support from the worldwide citizenry, Earth Hour was also observed in 2010 by more than 1,500 iconic landmarks across the globe, including the Empire State Building, the Las Vegas Strip, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Great Pyramids in Giza, the Acropolis in Athens, the Coliseum in Rome, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Sydney Opera House; and

Whereas, In New Jersey, Earth Hour 2010 received bi-partisan support from State legislators and other government officials, and participants in the event included business, religious, and community organizations, schools and universities, local government units, landmarks, and individuals throughout the State; and

Whereas, Earth Hour 2011 is scheduled to take place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011, and is poised to become “the largest voluntary power down in history,” with projected participation by more than two billion members of the world’s population; and

Whereas, The call for participation in Earth Hour 2011 is particularly significant, given the recent findings of a 2009 U.S. government report, which showed that climate change has adversely affected every region in the nation by increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, floods, heat waves, and wildfires, and by raising sea water levels; and

Whereas, The deleterious effects of climate change are expected to continue and worsen in future years, particularly for coastal communities, which may experience the endangerment of up to $7 trillion in buildings, transportation, and other assets by mid-century if climate change is not properly addressed; and

Whereas, In light of the fact that New Jersey, as a coastal state, will likely be faced with significant challenges arising from projected future 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 with those in other nations of the world, by showing support for and participating in Earth Hour 2011, and by encouraging the taking of actions that will effectively curb global warming and help to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for this State, as well as for the nation, and for the world; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The Legislature of the State of New Jersey recognizes that significant and detrimental consequences may result from unfettered climate change, and the Legislature supports the World Wildlife Fund’s efforts to encourage widespread national and global participation in Earth Hour 2011 and to thereby increase awareness of, and promote beneficial responses to, the problem of global warming.

In order to further the goals of this event, the Legislature urges the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon all public officials, citizens, and businesses of this State to participate in Earth Hour 2011 by dimming the lights at their respective locations during the hour from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Governor and to Mr. Carter Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Wildlife Fund.

STATEMENT

This concurrent resolution urges the Governor to issue a proclamation calling for Statewide participation in Earth Hour 2011, 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 quickly become a global phenomenon. In 2010 alone, the event was observed by over one billion people from more than 4,500 cities in over 125 countries worldwide – including 90 million Americans from all 50 states. Earth Hour 2010 was also observed by more than 1,500 iconic landmarks across the globe, including, the Empire State Building, the Las Vegas Strip, Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the Great Pyramids in Giza, the Acropolis in Athens, the Coliseum in Rome, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Christ the Redeemer statute in Brazil, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the Sydney Opera House. In New Jersey, Earth Hour 2010 received bi-partisan support from State legislators and other government officials, and participants in the event included business, religious, and community organizations, schools and universities, local government units, historic landmarks, and individuals throughout the State.

Earth Hour 2011 is scheduled to take place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2010, and is poised to become “the largest voluntary power down in history,” with projected participation by more than two billion members of the world’s population.

The call for participation in Earth Hour 2011 is particularly significant given the recent findings of a 2009 U.S. government report, which showed that climate change has adversely affected every region in the nation by increasing the frequency and severity of droughts, floods, heat waves, and wildfires, and by raising sea water levels. The deleterious effects of climate change are, moreover, expected to continue and worsen in future years, particularly for coastal communities, which may experience the endangerment of up to $7 trillion in buildings, transportation, and other assets by mid-century if climate change is not properly addressed.

In light of the fact that New Jersey, as a coastal state, will likely be faced with significant challenges arising from projected future 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 with those in other nations of the world, by showing support for and participating in Earth Hour 2011, and by encouraging the taking of actions that will effectively curb global warming and help to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for this State, as well as for the nation, and for the world.