BILL NUMBER: SR 37	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator De León

                        JUNE 29, 2015

   Relative to public resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, Pope Francis is a global defender of the poor and all
victims of injustice, including those suffering the devastating
impacts of climate change; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis, the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics
worldwide, released a Papal encyclical on June 18, 2015, in which he
issues a clarion call to action on climate change; and
   WHEREAS, A Papal encyclical is a "letter" to bishops and
considered the highest teaching of a pope; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis in his Papal encyclical recognizes that
reversing global warming, halting the depletion of our resources, and
combating environmental degradation falls upon us all: government,
the private sector, and individuals; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis declares that the climate "is a common good,
belonging to us all"; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis states that a solid scientific consensus
indicates a disturbing warming of the climate, accompanied by rising
sea levels and extreme weather events, even if a scientifically
determined cause cannot be attributed to each phenomenon; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis states that the problem is aggravated by a
model of development based on the intensive use of fossil fuels,
which is at the heart of the worldwide energy system; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis sees an urgent need to develop policies so
that in the near future the emission of carbon dioxide and other
highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced by finding
alternatives to fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable
energy; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis warns that the exploitation of the planet
has already exceeded acceptable limits while the problem of poverty
remains unsolved, and that "doomsday predictions can no longer be met
with irony or disdain"; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis states everyday experience and scientific
research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the
environment are suffered by the poorest; and
   WHEREAS, Pope Francis states that a true ecological approach must
integrate questions of social and environmental justice in debates on
the environment, "so as to hear both the cry of the Earth and the
cry of the poor"; and
   WHEREAS, California has already begun to incorporate questions of
social and environmental justice in its approach to climate control,
focusing resources to combat environmental degradation in California'
s poorest communities; and
   WHEREAS, The California Legislature recognizes the alarming rate
of global warming caused by fossil fuels and the urgent need to
continue to work toward a low-carbon economy, while fighting
environmental degradation in our poorest communities and increasing
their access to cleaner energy; and
   WHEREAS, California is home to more Catholics than any other state
in the nation with nearly one in three residents who self-identify
as Christians being Catholic; and
   WHEREAS, the Papal encyclical is anticipated to be not only of
great importance in parishes throughout California, the nation, and
world, but it is also expected to have significant political
ramifications; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That members of
the Legislature review and take into account the Papal encyclical on
climate change in relevant legislative actions; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Governor and executive branch of state
government consider the implications of the Papal encyclical and
climate change in their policy and fiscal actions to prevent further
environmental degradation; and be it further
   Resolved, That appropriate policy committees of the Legislature
convene hearings to consider the policy implications of the Papal
encyclical and seek testimony from religious leaders, state
officials, environmental organizations, business groups, and the
general public; and be it further
   Resolved, That the United States Congress and President Obama
consider the implications of the Papal encyclical and climate change
in their policy and fiscal actions to prevent further environmental
degradation; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.