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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
EARTH DAY 2018
WHEREAS, Earth Day, April 22, is celebrated around the world with the goal of diversifying, educating and activating the environmental movement; and
WHEREAS, addressing climate change requires action on many fronts; including decreasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and protecting the natural environment; and
WHEREAS, in order to reach the goal of an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 the County has reduced its GHG emissions in the categories of energy, water and transportation by 19% since 2010; and
WHEREAS, building energy is the largest contributor to GHG emissions in our region and the County has decreased GHG emissions from building energy by 25% since 2010; and
WHEREAS, the exponential growth of the use of plastics poisons and injures marine life, disrupts human hormones, creates litter and clogs our streams and landfills; and
WHEREAS, Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics; and
WHEREAS, about 22 million pounds of plastic, including straws, drink lids and single use plastic bags flow into the Great Lakes each year, according to the Illinois Environmental Council; and
WHEREAS, plastic accounts for about 80% of the litter on the Great Lakes’ shorelines; and
WHEREAS, true solutions focus on reducing the sources of plastic pollution by decreasing demand for items such as water and soft-drink bottles, beverage cups and straws, disposable utensils, wrappers and packaging;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners to hereby encourage Cook County employees and residents to reduce plastic pollution by taking a pass on plastic whenever possible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Board of Commissioners that April 22, 2018 is Earth Day in Cook County.
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