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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution expresses commitment to create and support solutions and studies
10 to address the causes and effects of climate change.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This resolution:
13 ▸ recognizes the adverse effects of climate change if it is not addressed;
14 ▸ expresses the need for fact-based stewardship of the economy and environment;
15 ▸ acknowledges Utah's demonstrated commitment to reduce greenhouse gas
16 emissions and improve air quality; and
17 ▸ expresses commitment to create and support solutions and studies to address the
18 causes and effects of climate change.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
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22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, it is a conservative principle to protect, conserve, and be good stewards of
24 our environment, responsibly plan for all market factors, and base our policy decisions in
25 science and quantifiable facts;
26 WHEREAS, prudent, fact-based stewardship of our economy and our environment is a
27 critical responsibility for all Utahns in order to ensure that we preserve our great state and
28 nation for future generations;
29 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has demonstrated its commitment to reduce greenhouse
30 gas emissions and improve air quality through the ongoing programmatic and policy support
31 for energy efficient buildings, clean energy, and clean vehicle deployment statewide;
32 WHEREAS, the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review states that the effects of a changing
33 climate are "threat multipliers that will aggravate stressors abroad such as poverty,
34 environmental degradation, political instability, and social tensions'';
35 WHEREAS, if left unaddressed, the consequences of a changing climate have the
36 potential to:
37 • adversely impact all Americans;
38 • affect vulnerable populations the hardest;
39 • harm productivity in key economic sectors such as construction, agriculture, and
40 tourism;
41 • saddle future generations with costly economic and environmental burdens; and
42 • impose additional costs on state and federal budgets that will further add to the
43 long-term fiscal challenges that we face as a state and nation; and
44 WHEREAS, any efforts to mitigate the risks of, prepare for, or otherwise address our
45 changing climate and its effects should not constrain the United States economy, especially
46 regarding global competitiveness:
47 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
48 commits to working constructively, using our tradition of American 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 that
52 have been found to have an impact.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages individuals and
54 corporations to produce and use less fossil fuel.
55 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports local, state, and federal
56 policies that address economic vitality to make the transition from fossil fuels less onerous to
57 consumers and to the economy.
58 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United
59 States Environmental Protection Agency and to the members of Utah's congressional
60 delegation.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel