HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 12

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A JOINT MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THAT NEW MEXICO SHOULD BE AN ENERGY CONSERVATION LEADER IN SAVING HUMANS, WILDLIFE AND PLANTS FROM HARMFUL CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS AND REQUESTING A "GET A BRIGHT IDEA" CONSUMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

     WHEREAS, a majority of scientists agree that global temperatures are increasing, that human activities are contributing to this climate change and that further warming is inevitable unless immediate and sweeping actions are taken to promote energy conservation; and

     WHEREAS, global warming creates extreme weather cycles of drought and floods, which are harmful to humans and to New Mexico's ecosystems, including its migrating birds and coldwater fish; and

     WHEREAS, rising temperatures throughout the southwest will lead to increased risks of drought, earlier snowpack melts, decreased drinking water supplies and intense fire seasons; and

     WHEREAS, increased wildfires and floods are harmful and costly to New Mexico and affect wildlife in harmful ways, including habitat loss and diminished food supplies; and

     WHEREAS, one-fourth of the world's plant and vertebrate animal species may face extinction by 2050 due to the effects of global warming; and

     WHEREAS, human activities and energy consumption contribute to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane; and

     WHEREAS, the use of fossil fuels for energy consumption contributes to the release of greenhouse gases; and

     WHEREAS, the effects of climate change can be slowed by reducing the release of greenhouse gases; and

     WHEREAS, the release of greenhouse gases can be reduced by energy conservation and the use of solar, wind and other alternative sources of energy; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico should be a leader in energy conservation and take steps to reduce global warming; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico state government aims to be energy efficient and to support sustainable energy production, energy conservation and public transportation; and

     WHEREAS, if all American families replaced just one of their incandescent light bulbs with a compact fluorescent light bulb, this would save enough energy to power a city for over a year; and

     WHEREAS, if state offices, schools and public institutions use compact fluorescent light bulbs and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and products, this will help energy conservation; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans should be encouraged to conserve resources and recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum to help reduce waste; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico state government can encourage consumer education on climate change issues and how they affect New Mexico and its wildlife and environment through a "climate change awareness day"; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico can help slow the effects of global warming by planting more trees adaptable to New Mexico and by creating wetlands that absorb carbon dioxide; and

     WHEREAS, student groups, such as wild friends, are taking action to reduce global warming through the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs, recycling and programs that teach energy conservation; and

     WHEREAS, wild friends students at Rio Gallinas school are participating in designing a classroom greenhouse that teaches self-sustainability through the use of alternative energy, water catchments and organic gardening; and

     WHEREAS, schools that join the energy schools teaching about resource savings program and students who design creative solutions for energy conservation should be publicly recognized; and 

     WHEREAS, children in the future should be safe from harmful effects of climate change and should have an opportunity to see and learn about wildlife and nature;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state be a leader in reducing greenhouse gases through energy conservation and the use of alternative energy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to issue pamphlets and conduct the "get a bright idea" consumer awareness campaign to educate the public about energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and products; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to declare a "climate change awareness day" to help educate residents about how climate change issues will affect New Mexicans and their wildlife and the environment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to take steps to use natural lighting, replace light bulbs in existing buildings with compact fluorescent light bulbs and use automatic timers on lights and heating and cooling systems to conserve energy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state recommend that all New Mexico schools recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum and glass and participate in the programs knows as "energy schools teaching about resource savings"; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to use energy-efficient vehicles for fuel conservation and to encourage employees to carpool or use public transportation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislature consider adopting an income tax credit for consumers who buy ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, products and central heating and cooling systems; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be requested to support sustainable energy production through research, grants and tax credits to corporations and residents that produce, sell or use clean energy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the governor, the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department, the department of environment, the department of transportation, the energy, minerals and natural resources department, the public education department, the higher education department, the taxation and revenue department and the members of the New Mexico legislative council.

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