Senate Resolution No. 1519

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMEMORATING the 54th Anniversary of Earth Day on
April 22, 2024

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those organizations and persons dedicating their
purposeful work to increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for,
the natural resources of New York, recognizing the role all citizens
have in protecting the environment and the quality of life in this
Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Responding to widespread environmental degradation, Gaylord
Nelson, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, called for an
environmental teach-in, or Earth Day, to be held on April 22, 1970; over
20 million people participated that year; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day is now observed each year on April 22, by more
than 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries; and

WHEREAS, In the 54 years that have passed since the original Earth
Day, the planet has been subjected to the continuing burdens of world
population growth, increasing commercial and residential development,
ocean pollution, increasing stores of toxic and nuclear waste, and other
similar assaults which have exacerbated the growing dangers of global
climate change, ozone depletion, toxic poisoning, deforestation and mass
species extinctions; and

WHEREAS, Following the first Earth Day, and the demonstrations of
concern of over 20 million Americans, a collective national action has
resulted in the passage of sweeping new laws to protect the invaluable
resources of air, land and water; and

WHEREAS, A sound natural environment is the foundation of a healthy
society and a robust economy in that it works hand in hand with the
creation of green jobs, boosts sustainable agriculture in communities
and allows for New Yorkers to take in the natural elements that have
defined our State; and

WHEREAS, Human activities around the world are causing severe
environmental damage that threatens human health and our planet's
ability to sustain a diverse community of life such as a heavy
dependence on fossil fuels, widespread use of toxic chemicals in food
and other consumer goods, devastation of forests, hazardous chemicals
that have affected children and families in our many environmental
justice communities; and

WHEREAS, The knowledge of ways to live in harmony with our
environment and methods and technologies to accomplish this end already
exists in the pristine natural resources that New York State has to
offer for sustainable communities in rich agriculture, clean waters and
a movement that promotes reliance on renewable energy resources and
recycling; and

WHEREAS, Local communities can do much to reverse environmental
degradation and contribute to building a healthy society by promoting
energy conservation, sustainable land use policies, and public transit;
and

WHEREAS, There are sound economic, environmental, and social reasons
for local governments to initiate energy efficiency and renewable energy
practices; and

WHEREAS, The environmental realities of our time require humans to
make a dramatic shift in our relationship to the earth; and

WHEREAS, April 22, 2024, marks the 54th Anniversary of Earth Day, a
day set aside to celebrate the beauty and bounty of our environment and
to revitalize the efforts required to protect, and maintain respect for,
the environment and its resources; and

WHEREAS, Earth Day 2024 activities and events will educate all
citizens on the importance of acting in an environmentally sensitive
fashion by recycling, conserving energy and water, using efficient
transportation, and adopting more ecologically sound lifestyles; and

WHEREAS, The goal of Earth Day 2024 is not to plan only one day of
events and activities, but to continue worldwide efforts to protect all
aspects of the environment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 54th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2024; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That New York commits itself to undertaking programs and
projects that enhance our community's natural environment; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That New York State hereby encourages its residents,
businesses and institutions to use Earth Day to celebrate the Earth and
commit to building a sustainable society; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body congratulate all the concerned
citizens of New York State who have embraced the responsible work of
protecting and preserving the environment for future generations.