SR0097 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0097 LRB102 13992 ECR 19344 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Evidence from thousands of studies connect increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations with escalating annual average temperatures, shrinking sea ice, melting glaciers, rising sea levels/temperatures, and increasing atmospheric water vapor, all of which connect to extremes in global climate; and

WHEREAS, These increasing climate extremes threaten both current and future ecological system sustainability upon which health and well-being depend; and

WHEREAS, These influences reach beyond State and national boundaries with implications for all humanity but disproportionately affect the most vulnerable; and

WHEREAS, The interaction of political, economic, and cultural factors influence resource availability and related resilience of families and communities, with a higher risk of adverse health consequences borne by geographic areas with fewer economic resources and greater health disparities; and

WHEREAS, Climate-related health risks tend to worsen health conditions, which increases chronic and infectious diseases, injuries and premature life-loss from physical/psychosocial disabilities, trauma from separation of families, disruption of healthcare and social services, infectious disease vulnerability, risk of dehydration and inadequate nutrition, heat stress, and psychological and adjustment disorders; and

WHEREAS, Unchecked continuation of current climate trends undermine the sustainability of water systems, agricultural production, and biodiversity, contributing to basic resource depletion, famine, social disruption, population displacement/emigration, increased potential for violent conflict, and decreased regional and global stability; and

WHEREAS, The vulnerability of the Midwest and the State of Illinois is a microcosm of these influences from increasing heat, humidity, precipitation, flooding, soil erosion, sedimentation, property damage, late-season drought, invasive species, pests, and plant diseases, leading to reduced air and water quality, biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and worker safety/productivity, all of which jeopardize human health, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing/commerce, recreation/tourism, and economic vibrancy; and

WHEREAS, Many of these consequences can be prevented or substantially minimized through interventions that dramatically reduce GHG emissions, such as decreased reliance on carbon-based fuels (i.e. gas, oil and coal) and energy waste and increased energy conservation and reliance on renewable energy sources (i.e. wind, solar and potentially nuclear fusion); and

WHEREAS, Such a paradigm shift in the consumption and production of energy is not just a necessity but an opportunity for innovation, job creation, and substantial environmental and related health, economic, social and national security benefits, all of which represent co-benefits in addition to reducing the risk of climate change; and

WHEREAS, Solutions to securing a more sustainable global environment lie exclusively in the domain of individual and collective actions aimed at holding global average temperature increases to well below 2°C (3.6°F), above preindustrial levels, and to pursuing efforts to limit such temperature increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F); and

WHEREAS, Cities, urban areas, and states represent unique, scalable incubators for innovation to counteract climate change, especially since policies adopted in such jurisdictions typically have the most immediate impact on the daily lives of their residents; and

WHEREAS, Paramount to a coordinated, collective response to this threat is an acknowledgment of the risk it represents for all humankind and the urgency to apply best available science-based interventions; and

WHEREAS, The physical sciences have established this understanding, but the social sciences are critical in translating this knowledge to adaptive and mitigative actions to match the need, and one of public health strengths is functioning effectively at the nexus of the physical and social sciences; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State of Illinois should play an important role in addressing climate change by taking the following steps:

(1) Encourage local and State elected leaders (i.e. mayors, county board chairs/executives and governors) to officially endorse and engage in the respective commitments, momentum, and resources available through Climate Reality Mayors, Climate Resolution for County Executives, and the U.S. Climate Alliance;

(2) Urge implementation of public and/or public-private collaborative alternative financing opportunities to encourage green development and climate resilient infrastructure;

(3) Conduct, encourage, and support advocacy, education, and public awareness on the threat from climate change and its solutions;

(4) Establish support for and funding of research, surveillance, reporting, and tracking of climate-related health effects;

(5) Expand State and local preparedness and its funding for disaster readiness and response to effectively assist in climate-related event resilience and rapid recovery; and

(6) Promote green energy production and energy efficiency in all public policies and practices, while disincentivizing reliance on carbon-based fuels and utilizing as examples new and rehabilitated public facilities.