Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 180
CHAPTER 59
Relative to California Earth Day 2002.
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Filed with
Secretary of State
May 21, 2002.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 180, Strom-Martin.
California Earth Day 2002.
This measure would declare April 22, 2002, as “California Earth Day,” would reaffirm the Legislature’s commitment to the fundamental principles of environmental laws, and would encourage the state’s residents to promote the goals of Earth Day 2002.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, Thirty-two years ago, millions of Americans of all ages, walks of life, and political affiliations joined together on the first Earth Day in a demonstration of concern and support for the environment; and
WHEREAS, Public environmental awareness, fostered by the first Earth Day, has led to the enactment of key federal laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, to protect the environment; and
WHEREAS, The spirit of the first Earth Day has continued to increase public environmental awareness inspiring many Californians to make individual decisions that reduce adverse environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, The California environment, including its rocky coasts, sandy beaches, redwood forests, stark deserts, and towering mountains, is among the most beautiful in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes and has helped safeguard the state’s unique scenic beauty, natural resources, and the quality of its water, air, and land through the enactment of laws including the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Coastal Act of 1976, the Hazardous Waste Control Law, the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, and the California Clean Air Act; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature evinced its intent to protect the environment by enacting and presenting to the voters the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2000, the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000, and the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002; and the people of California affirmed this intent by approving each of these measures; and
WHEREAS, New and continuing threats of increasing severity to our environment, including global climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid rain, polluted oceans and waterways, loss of forests, wetlands, and other wildlife habitats, and contamination of air and drinking water sources by nuclear, hazardous, and solid wastes, demand renewed public involvement; and
WHEREAS, The protection of California’s natural resources helps stimulate our economy and enhance our quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Sometimes our daily actions inadvertently pollute and degrade the fragile environment that all life depends on to survive, and we must continue to make each day an “Earth Day” if we want to ensure a healthy environment for future generations; and
WHEREAS, Activities to celebrate, on April 22, 2002, the 32nd anniversary of the first Earth Day, will focus public attention on and encourage personal and community participation in environmental protection through recycling, conserving energy and water, using efficient transportation, and other environmentally responsible personal actions; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day 2002 will provide an impetus for additional protection of the environment, and continued local, state, national, and international efforts will be required at an unprecedented level during the next decade in order to remedy the environmental problems that we face; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate concurring, That April 22, 2002, is hereby declared to be “California Earth Day”; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature reaffirms its commitment to the fundamental principles that underlie the state’s environmental laws, including the protection of human health from environmental hazards through the prevention of environmental risks and the maintenance of health-based standards; the continuance of programs to safeguard air and water quality; the recycling and reuse of materials, whenever feasible, to reduce the economic and environmental costs of disposal, and to recapture the value of these materials for the state’s economy; the effective cleanup of pollution of the state’s land, air, and water resources; the preservation of natural ecosystems; and maintenance of the fundamental right of the public to know about environmental hazards and to fully participate in public decisions regarding the environment; and be it further
Resolved, That California recognizes the importance of the environment and encourages residents to include in their daily lives those activities that promote the goals of Earth Day 2002; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and to the Secretary of the Resources Agency and the Secretary for Environmental Protection.