Senate Concurrent Resolution 635

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007, AS "MISSISSIPPI EARTH DAY SUNDAY: GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR GIFT OF ENERGY" AND URGING ALL STATE AGENCIES AND CITIZENS TO BE ENERGY STEWARDS.

WHEREAS, many congregations in Mississippi celebrate Earth Day Sunday to praise the beauty of God's creation by focusing on a particular environmental issue and in answering God's gift of everyone to be faithful stewards of creation; and

WHEREAS, the world's scientists agree that "Global Warming" is real, here and happening faster than anyone predicted, but scientists also say we can curb "Global Warming" and its consequences if bold, comprehensive action is taken now that adds up to an 80% cut in carbon emissions by 2050. That's a realistic 2% cut each for year for each of the next 40 years; and

WHEREAS, Sierra Club activists are mobilizing nationally to call for local solutions to "Global Warming." People from all walks of life are meeting to ask local and state government officials to cut carbon dioxide emissions 2% per year for the next 40 years, a total of 80% reductions by 2050; and

WHEREAS, in some states, volunteers are asking the public to sign a petition pledging to be part of the 2% solution and agree to help build a cleaner, smarter, safer energy future and combat "Global Warming" by:

· Making energy and money-saving choices as a consumer;

· Increasing the energy efficiency of car and home;

· Asking local utility to provide clean, renewable energy-like wind and solar power;

· Asking local and state governments to adopt strong policies to reduce local carbon emissions;

· Educating candidates for state and federal office to take a position on clean energy strategies and technologies that will create new jobs, build our economy, and put America on track to meet a 2% reduction in carbon emissions per year; and

WHEREAS, our state should take the first step to do our part by beginning to find ways to embrace smart energy solutions in the home, families pledge to take steps to replace light bulbs with compact fluorescents and keep car's tires property inflated to improve gas mileage; and

WHEREAS, to reach our goal, to build a cleaner, smarter and safer energy future and meet and overcome the most urgent challenge facing us, all Americans and Mississippians must make different, better decisions about the energy we use at home, at work and as a nation and state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate Sunday, April 22, 2007, as "Mississippi Earth Day Sunday: Good Stewards of Our Gift of Energy" and urge all state agencies and citizens to be energy stewards and to focus on this critical national issue.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution shall be disseminated by the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Board of Health by appropriate public service advertisements and shall be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.