LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 22, 2015, as Earth Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to highlight days of
awareness which draw attention to important and beneficial causes, and
to pay tribute to those who have dedicated their time and energy to
making the State of New York a clean, beautiful, environmentally friend-
ly place to call home; 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 across the country, including an
estimated one million people in New York City, the largest gathering in
the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22nd by more
than 500 million people as well as national governments in 175 coun-
tries; and
WHEREAS, Since Earth Day's inception, more and more evidence has been
uncovered to demonstrate the devastating impacts of fossil fuels on our
environment, particularly air pollution caused by carbon dioxide and
methane which has triggered a wave of global climate change; and
WHEREAS, The rapid warming of our planet has already had observable
effects on the environment; glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and
lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and
trees are flowering sooner, according to NASA; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, effects that scientists had predicted in the past
would result from global climate change are now occurring including the
loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise, longer more intense heat
waves and severe weather events; and
WHEREAS, It is the consensus of the vast majority of the global scien-
tific community that human activities play a significant role in
contributing to climate change, and that if we do not reduce carbon
dioxide emissions emanating from fossil fuels, the warming of our plant
and the proliferation of severe weather disasters will only worsen; and
WHEREAS, New York's diverse mountain ranges, lakes, streams, rivers,
forests, flora, and fauna are natural wonders that should be protected
from depletion and pollution; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that our continued push for new development,
investment in new technologies, and increased demand for our planet's
natural resources is coupled with sustainability initiatives that
encourage renewable energy, eco-friendly business practices, the
creation of new green jobs, and long-term thinking about the environ-
mental impact of new policies; and
WHEREAS, April 22, 2015, marks the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day, a
day set aside to celebrate the beauty and bounty of our planet and to
revitalize the efforts required to protect, and maintain respect for,
the environment and its resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2015; 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.