HR1080 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1080 LRB095 20417 KXB 48004 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes that the City of Chicago is the United States flagship city for Earth Hour, an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund dedicated to showing that together we can all make a change in global warming by reducing our electric use for one hour; and

WHEREAS, Earth Hour is an event in which the entire State can participate; and

WHEREAS, Iconic buildings in Chicago including the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, the Merchandise Mart, and the John Hancock Building, as well as businesses and residences around the State, from Aurora to Worth, are participating in Earth Hour; and

WHEREAS, Climate change is perhaps the most significant issue facing our planet today, and the need to respond is unsurpassed; average annual carbon emissions in the United States alone measure 19.6 tons per person; and

WHEREAS, The Earth is beginning to witness dramatic impacts, from melting glaciers to increased intensity and frequency of hurricanes, as a result of the amount of carbon we load into the atmosphere; therefore the way we live and behave must change if global warming is to be slowed or stopped; and

WHEREAS, Earth Hour shows that together, each small action taken collectively can make a difference in the fight against global warming; and

WHEREAS, On March 29, 2008, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., every person can show his or her commitment to the fight against global warming by turning out non-essential lighting; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare March 29, 2008 as Earth Hour Day in the State of Illinois and urge all residents to participate in Earth Hour and implement changes throughout the year to reduce carbon output and global warming.