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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Evidence from thousands of studies connect
3increasing atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations
4with escalating annual average temperatures, shrinking sea
5ice, melting glaciers, rising sea levels/temperatures, and
6increasing atmospheric water vapor, all of which connect to
7extremes in global climate; and
 
8    WHEREAS, These increasing climate extremes threaten both
9current and future ecological system sustainability upon which
10health and well-being depend; and
 
11    WHEREAS, These influences reach beyond State and national
12boundaries with implications for all humanity but
13disproportionately affect the most vulnerable; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The interaction of political, economic, and
15cultural factors influence resource availability and related
16resilience of families and communities, with a higher risk of
17adverse health consequences borne by geographic areas with
18fewer economic resources and greater health disparities; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Climate-related health risks tend to worsen
20health conditions, which increases chronic and infectious
21diseases, injuries and premature life-loss from

 

 

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1physical/psychosocial disabilities, trauma from separation of
2families, disruption of healthcare and social services,
3infectious disease vulnerability, risk of dehydration and
4inadequate nutrition, heat stress, and psychological and
5adjustment disorders; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Unchecked continuation of current climate trends
7undermine the sustainability of water systems, agricultural
8production, and biodiversity, contributing to basic resource
9depletion, famine, social disruption, population
10displacement/emigration, increased potential for violent
11conflict, and decreased regional and global stability; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The vulnerability of the Midwest and the State of
13Illinois is a microcosm of these influences from increasing
14heat, humidity, precipitation, flooding, soil erosion,
15sedimentation, property damage, late-season drought, invasive
16species, pests, and plant diseases, leading to reduced air and
17water quality, biodiversity, agricultural productivity, and
18worker safety/productivity, all of which jeopardize human
19health, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing/commerce,
20recreation/tourism, and economic vibrancy; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Many of these consequences can be prevented or
22substantially minimized through interventions that
23dramatically reduce GHG emissions, such as decreased reliance

 

 

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1on carbon-based fuels (i.e. gas, oil and coal) and energy waste
2and increased energy conservation and reliance on renewable
3energy sources (i.e. wind, solar and potentially nuclear
4fusion); and
 
5    WHEREAS, Such a paradigm shift in the consumption and
6production of energy is not just a necessity but an opportunity
7for innovation, job creation, and substantial environmental
8and related health, economic, social and national security
9benefits, all of which represent co-benefits in addition to
10reducing the risk of climate change; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Solutions to securing a more sustainable global
12environment lie exclusively in the domain of individual and
13collective actions aimed at holding global average temperature
14increases to well below 2°C (3.6°F), above preindustrial
15levels, and to pursuing efforts to limit such temperature
16increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F); and
 
17    WHEREAS, Cities, urban areas, and states represent unique,
18scalable incubators for innovation to counteract climate
19change, especially since policies adopted in such
20jurisdictions typically have the most immediate impact on the
21daily lives of their residents; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Paramount to a coordinated, collective response

 

 

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1to this threat is an acknowledgment of the risk it represents
2for all humankind and the urgency to apply best available
3science-based interventions; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The physical sciences have established this
5understanding, but the social sciences are critical in
6translating this knowledge to adaptive and mitigative actions
7to match the need, and one of public health strengths is
8functioning effectively at the nexus of the physical and social
9sciences; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the State of Illinois
12should play an important role in addressing climate change by
13taking the following steps:
14        (1) Encourage local and State elected leaders (i.e.
15    mayors, county board chairs/executives and governors) to
16    officially endorse and engage in the respective
17    commitments, momentum, and resources available through
18    Climate Reality Mayors, Climate Resolution for County
19    Executives, and the U.S. Climate Alliance;
20        (2) Urge implementation of public and/or
21    public-private collaborative alternative financing
22    opportunities to encourage green development and climate
23    resilient infrastructure;
24        (3) Conduct, encourage, and support advocacy,

 

 

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1    education, and public awareness on the threat from climate
2    change and its solutions;
3        (4) Establish support for and funding of research,
4    surveillance, reporting, and tracking of climate-related
5    health effects; and
6        (5) Expand State and local preparedness and its funding
7    for disaster readiness and response to effectively assist
8    in climate-related event resilience and rapid recovery.