WHEREAS, California has proven to be a leader nationally and globally in addressing climate change, in recognizing it is a reality, in adopting policies geared toward reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, and in working to slow the impacts of climate change; and

WHEREAS, The consequences of climate change are so great that they are causing multiple crises; and

WHEREAS, In November 2019, more than 11,000 scientists from around the world declared that we are in a climate emergency; and

WHEREAS, Ninety-seven percent of scientists agree that climate change is real and human induced; and

WHEREAS, According to the United Nations, global temperatures are expected to rise as much as 5.8 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century; and

WHEREAS, Global emissions of greenhouse gases must begin to fall by 7.6 percent each year beginning in 2020 in order to meet the most ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC/CP/2015/L.9/Rev.1) at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP21); and

WHEREAS, While the United States has officially pulled out of the Paris Agreement, California remains committed to the agreement and working towards reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, Scientists have warned that the planet’s warming should not exceed 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit or 1.5 degrees Celsius; and

WHEREAS, Global sea levels will rise by more than three feet and perhaps by as much as seven feet by the end of this century; and

WHEREAS, The disappearance of glaciers leaves many without water supplies; and

WHEREAS, The warming and acidification of the oceans is negatively impacting marine life; and

WHEREAS, Climate change is making illnesses worse, ranging from allergies to heart and lung diseases, kidney problems, pregnancy complications, and skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, Of the 20 largest wildfires in California since 1932, 18 have occurred in the last 20 years; and

WHEREAS, According to a report released by the Legislative Analyst Office in November 2019, California’s coastline could experience as much as seven feet of sea level rise by 2100, which could have extensive impacts on the state’s residents, economy, and natural resources; and

WHEREAS, Over the past century, California has warmed by about 3 degrees Fahrenheit, which has led to longer and warmer summers, delayed rainfall, and created drier air and vegetation that, when fires spark, enabled fire to spread more quickly and to burn more intensely and longer; and

WHEREAS, The warming and acidification of marine and freshwater systems are creating the perfect conditions for harmful algal blooms to thrive, which produce toxins, including liver and neurotoxins, that sicken human and wildlife, and impact drinking sources; now, therefore, be it