R026-9899
10 A RESOLUTION CONCERNING UNITED STATES 20 INITIATIVE IN THE PREVENTION OF GLOBAL WARMING 30 WHEREAS: Global warming is the heating of the earth's land-surface 40 temperature due to the trapping of greenhouse gasses in the 50 atmosphere; and, 60 WHEREAS: Measured atmospheric levels of greenhouse gasses such as 70 carbon dioxide, chloroflurocarbons, methane, and nitrous 80 oxide have risen substantially in recent decades; and, 90 WHEREAS: Ten of the warmest years of the 113-year recorded history of 100 land-surface temperature measurements have occurred since 110 1980;and, 120 WHEREAS: The increases in greenhouse gases are due to human activity 130 such as the burning of fossil fuels, agriculture, use of CFC's, and 140 deforestation; and, 150 WHEREAS: The effects of global warming will bring expanded ranges of 160 tropical diseases and other devastating health problems, perilous 170 sea level rise, more intense tropical storms, extinction of countless 180 plant and animal species, and failure of crops in the world's most 190 vulnerable regions; and, 200 WHEREAS: The effects of global warming will not discriminate against race, 210 nationality, region, or species and, therefore, are problems that 220 will effect every member of the international community; and, 230 WHEREAS: The continued emission of greenhouse gases at current rates will 240 cause global warming and subsequent climate change, the effects 250 of which may be catastrophic and irreversible; and, 260 WHEREAS: The United States is a primary leader in the international 270 community whose influences are felt worldwide; and, 280 WHEREAS: The United States is a primary producer of carbon dioxide and 290 other greenhouse gasses; and, 300 WHEREAS: An initiative on behalf of the United States on preventing the 310 effects of global warming by reduced greenhouse emissions and 320 ending deforestation could lead to the implementing of similar 330 Policies in foreign countries. 340 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Maryland Student Legislature urges 350 the Government of the United States of America take initiative in 360 preventing global warming by improving auto efficiency by raising 370 mileage-per-gallon (CAFƒ) standards for new imported and 380 domestic cars and light trucks, accelerating the rate of energy 390 efficiency gains industry, residential and commercial buildings 400 through combinations of policy measures, including improving 410 efficiency for lighting standards and appliances; implementing 420 effective market incentives; promoting government investment in 430 research and development programs; and ending fossil fuel 440 subsidies; and, 450 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That, included in this initiative, 460 the United States would accelerate research and 470 development of solar and renewable energy technologies and 480 implement programs to end deforestation, both domestic and 490 foreign efforts, and encourage and support afforestation. 500 MANDATES: President William Jefferson Clinton 510 Vice President Al Gore 520 Congressman Roscoe Bartlett 530 United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright 540 Environmental Protection Agency Jeremiah Kelly Western Maryland College 2 College Hill Westminster, MD 21157 (410)751-8106