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

REQUESTING CONGRESS TO COMMIT TO REDUCTIONS OF GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION AND TO RATIFY THE KYOTO PROTOCOL.

WHEREAS, the world's leading climate scientists have warned that rising concentrations of carbon dioxide and "greenhouse gases" in the atmosphere threaten to increase average global temperatures; and

WHEREAS, over one thousand five hundred scientists from around the world, including one hundred two Nobel prize winners, have declared in the world scientists' call to action that the world's senior scientific community believes that global warming is a serious threat; and

WHEREAS, major companies such as British petroleum America, Enron corporation, Maytag, Toyota united technologies, Whirlpool and others endorse the principle of the business environmental leadership council, which states, "We accept the views of most scientists that enough is known about the science and environmental impacts of climate change for us to take action to address its consequences."; and

WHEREAS a national academy of sciences study, in weighing the costs and benefits of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, concludes that the United States can reduce energy consumption by twenty percent or more, resulting in substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, at a net economic benefit to the country; and

WHEREAS, the United States signed a treaty at an international conference on global warming held in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997; and

WHEREAS, the treaty, known as the Kyoto protocol, would require the United States to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by seven percent below 1990 levels by the year 2012; and

WHEREAS, the negative impacts of global warming on New Mexico may include the loss of drought-tolerant blue grama grass, as reported in the Albuquerque journal on January 8, 1999, along with property damage and economic losses due to more frequent and severe storms, and greater likelihood of droughts; and

WHEREAS, the United States, as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gas pollution, can demonstrate leadership both in reducing emissions and in developing the expertise and technologies needed here and abroad to reduce emissions; and

WHEREAS, developing countries need the energy-efficient technologies and expertise of the industrialized countries in order to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, the world market for energy-efficient technology is expected to reach one hundred twenty-five billion dollars ($125,000,000,000) annually by the year 2015; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico is poised to play a central role in developing and testing energy-efficient technologies for domestic use and for export abroad;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the senate of the United States be urged to ratify the Kyoto protocol to the united nations framework convention on climate change and that the United States congress be urged to take the lead in lowering greenhouse gas pollution by supporting energy-efficient programs and technology development; encouraging the use of wind and solar power; curbing pollution from power plants; and raising the fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks; and

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