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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution expresses a commitment to create and support a solution that addresses
11 the causes and effects of a changing climate.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 ▸ expresses commitment to conservative environmental stewardship;
15 ▸ acknowledges Utah's existing commitment to reduce combustion emissions and
16 improve air quality;
17 ▸ recognizes that climate disruption poses a potential threat to our national security;
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19 ▸ recognizes that good stewardship of the economy and environment fosters security,
20 sustainability, and independence.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
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24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, Utah has a tradition of supporting good stewardship of our land, air, and
26 water;
27 WHEREAS, protection, conservation, and reasonable management of the natural
28 environment are essential principles of responsible conservancy;
29 WHEREAS, preservation of Utah's economic longevity and state exceptionalism
30 depends on prudent, fact-based stewardship of natural resources;
31 WHEREAS, the Department of Defense recognizes that the changing global climate
32 patterns cause widespread displacement and pose a potential security threat to our nation;
33 WHEREAS, climate change has exacerbated severe weather events, including heat
34 waves, wildfires, water scarcity, and flooding;
35 WHEREAS, an increase in pollutants contribute to local and regional environmental
36 human health concerns such as elevated asthma rates, more acidic rain, the emergence of
37 tropical diseases in temperate environments, and diminished air quality;
38 WHEREAS, if left unaddressed, the consequences of a changing climate have the
39 potential to negatively impact Utah citizens and their posterity, disproportionately harm our
40 most vulnerable communities, impair productivity in key economic and environmental areas,
41 saddle Utah's future generations with costly economic and environmental burdens, and impose
42 additional costs on state and federal budgets that will further add to the long-term fiscal
43 challenges that we face as a state and nation; and
44 WHEREAS, studies predict that any efforts to mitigate the risks of, prepare for, or
45 otherwise address our changing climate and its effects should not constrain the economy, nor
46 its global competitiveness:
47 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
48 commits to working constructively, using our heritage of ingenuity, innovation, and
49 exceptionalism, to create and support economically viable and broadly supported private and
50 public solutions and studies to address the causes and effects of measured changes to our global
51 and regional climates, including mitigation efforts and efforts to balance human activities.
52 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages individuals and
53 corporations to use less fossil fuel.
54 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports incentivizing and
55 supporting the growth of technologies and services in both the public and private sectors that
56 will enlarge our economy in a way that is both energy-efficient and less energy intensive.
57 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the members of
58 Utah's congressional delegation.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel