44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

URGING THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES TO NOT RATIFY THE TREATY FROM THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADOPTED IN DECEMBER 1997 AT KYOTO, JAPAN.

WHEREAS, in December 1997, the united nations framework convention on climate change met at Kyoto, Japan and adopted a treaty that commits the United States to reducing carbon dioxide emissions to seven percent below 1990 levels; and

WHEREAS, James Hansen, of the national aeronautics and space administration and the chief architect of the global warming model that has been relied upon to bolster concern about global warming, recently stated: "The forces that drive long-term climate changes are not known with an accuracy sufficient to define future climate changes.", and has now admitted that his model was wrong, as reported in the Albuquerque journal of January 31, 1999; and

WHEREAS, fears of global warming due to increased levels of carbon dioxide are not based on sound scientific evidence; and

WHEREAS, studies of past records of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere show no correlation to global temperature; and

WHEREAS, the adoption of the Kyoto Treaty may lead to government control of industry through the imposition of carbon production permits, rationing and a tax levy on consumer carbon emissions, resulting in sharply increased costs and the loss of thousands of jobs; and

WHEREAS, other major countries, including certain Latin American and Asian nations, are exempt from the restrictions of the Kyoto Treaty, putting the United States at a severe competitive disadvantage in the global economy; and

WHEREAS, the senate of the United States, in March 1997, by a vote of 95-0 passed Senate Resolution 98, sponsored by Senator Robert Byrd; and

WHEREAS, Senate Resolution 98 made two very specific stipulations about the Kyoto Treaty: it should apply to all nations; and it should not harm the American economy; and

WHEREAS, the following organizations have passed resolutions supporting the sentiments of Senate Resolution 98: the national governors association; AFL-CIO executive council; energy council; western governors' association; national association of counties; American legislative exchange council; southern legislative conference; midwestern legislative conference; southern state energy board; transportation trades department, AFL-CIO; industrial union department, AFL-CIO; united mine workers of America; united mine workers of America, bituminous coal operators; and southern governors' association;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the senate of the United States is urged not to ratify the Kyoto Treaty adopted by the united nations framework convention on climate change under its present terms and that the senate of the United States enact legislation prohibiting the adoption of an executive order or regulation attempting to make effective any provision of the Kyoto Treaty; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, the president of the United States senate and the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.