LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day
on April 22, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those organizations and persons dedicating their purposeful
work to increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for, the
natural resources of New York, recognizing the role all citizens have in
protecting the environment and the quality of life in this Empire State;
and
WHEREAS, Responding to widespread environmental degradation, Gaylord
Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an environ-
mental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970; over 20
million people participated that year; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22 by more than
500 million people and national governments in 175 countries; and
WHEREAS, In the 46 years that have passed since the original Earth
Day, the planet has been subjected to the continuing burdens of world
population growth, increasing commercial and residential development,
ocean pollution, increasing stores of toxic and nuclear waste, and other
similar assaults which have exacerbated the growing dangers of global
climate change, ozone depletion, toxic poisoning, deforestation and mass
species extinctions; and
WHEREAS, Following the first Earth Day, and the demonstrations of
concern of over 20 million Americans, a collective national action has
resulted in the passage of sweeping new laws to protect the invaluable
resources of air, land and water; and
WHEREAS, A sound natural environment is the foundation of a healthy
society and a robust economy in that it works hand in hand with the
creation of green jobs, boosts sustainable agriculture in communities
and allows for New Yorkers to take in the natural elements that have
defined our State; and
WHEREAS, Human activities around the world are causing severe environ-
mental damage that threatens human health and our planet's ability to
sustain a diverse community of life such as a heavy dependence on fossil
fuels, widespread use of toxic chemicals in food and other consumer
goods, devastation of forests, hazardous chemicals that have affected
children and families in our many environmental justice communities; and
WHEREAS, The knowledge of ways to live in harmony with our environment
and methods and technologies to accomplish this end already exists in
the pristine natural resources that New York State has to offer for
sustainable communities in rich agriculture, clean waters and a movement
that promotes reliance on renewable energy resources and recycling; and
WHEREAS, Local communities can do much to reverse environmental degra-
dation and contribute to building a healthy society by promoting energy
conservation, sustainable land use policies, and public transit; and
WHEREAS, There are sound economic, environmental, and social reasons
for local governments to initiate energy efficiency and renewable energy
practices; and
WHEREAS, The environmental realities of our time require humans to
make a dramatic shift in our relationship to the earth; and
WHEREAS, April 22, 2016, marks the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day, a
day set aside to celebrate the beauty and bounty of our environment and
to revitalize the efforts required to protect, and maintain respect for,
the environment and its resources; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day 2016 activities and events will educate all citi-
zens on the importance of acting in an environmentally sensitive fashion

by recycling, conserving energy and water, using efficient transporta-
tion, and adopting more ecologically sound lifestyles; and
WHEREAS, The goal of Earth Day 2016 is not to plan only one day of
events and activities, but to continue worldwide efforts to protect all
aspects of the environment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2016; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That New York commits itself to undertaking programs and
projects that enhance our community's natural environment; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That New York State hereby encourages its residents, busi-
nesses and institutions to use Earth Day to celebrate the Earth and
commit to building a sustainable society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body congratulate all the concerned
citizens of New York State who have embraced the responsible work of
protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.