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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 emissions and improve air
16 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, the Governor concurring therein:
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 depend 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 contributes 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, the
48 Governor concurring therein, commits to working constructively, using our heritage of
49 ingenuity, innovation, and exceptionalism to create and support economically viable and
50 broadly supported private and public solutions and studies to address the causes and effects of
51 measured changes to our global and regional climates, including mitigation efforts and efforts
52 to balance human activities.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage
54 individuals and corporations to reduce emissions.
55 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor support
56 incentivizing and supporting the growth of technologies and services in both the public and
57 private sectors that will enlarge our economy in a way that is both energy efficient and less
58 energy intensive.
59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the members of
60 Utah's congressional delegation.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel