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PRINTER'S NO. 3559
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
844
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, MURT, KINSEY, YOUNGBLOOD, SCHLOSSBERG,
MALAGARI, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, KORTZ, NEILSON,
SCHWEYER, DeLUCA AND READSHAW, APRIL 14, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
APRIL 14, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of May 2020 as "Rainforest Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania and urging residents of this
Commonwealth to become aware of the disappearance of
rainforests worldwide and make choices that can lead to
protection of those remaining areas.
WHEREAS, Although rainforests now cover just 6% of the
Earth's surface, they are home to more than one-half of the
planet's species; and
WHEREAS, Fifty million indigenous peoples call the
rainforests home and have lived there sustainably for thousands
of years; and
WHEREAS, More than 25% of the medicines in general use today
originated in the rainforests; and
WHEREAS, Although they cover only a small portion of the
earth's surface, rainforests affect climate and weather
worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Tropical rainforests replenish 20% of the oxygen in
the atmosphere through photosynthesis; and
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WHEREAS, Tropical rainforests store vast amounts of carbon in
their biomass which is, in large part, the carbon released by
the burning of fossil fuels for cars, electricity and industry;
and
WHEREAS, When forests are destroyed, often by burning, huge
amounts of carbon dioxide are released, exacerbating the
greenhouse effect and global warming; and
WHEREAS, Rainforests play a key role in controlling flooding,
erosion and siltation in many parts of the world, as they absorb
huge amounts of rainfall and then slowly release it as a
constant supply of clean water; and
WHEREAS, Global weather patterns are impacted by the dark,
warm and humid rainforests due to the slowly released water
vapor that rises to the atmosphere and forms clouds, which
travel great distances and deliver essential rain; and
WHEREAS, Rainforests are also responsible for maintaining the
hydrological cycle and rainfall patterns; and
WHEREAS, One tree can release as much as 75 gallons of water
per day; and
WHEREAS, According to the Rainforest Foundation US,
rainforest acreage equal to the size of a football field is
destroyed every second; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 32 million acres of rainforest are
lost each year around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Nearly two-thirds of all tropical rainforest
coverage and one-half of temperate rainforest coverage on Earth
has been destroyed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of May 2020 as "Rainforest Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge residents of this Commonwealth to become
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aware of the disappearance of rainforests worldwide and make
choices that can lead to protection of those remaining areas;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
residents of this Commonwealth to make small, everyday choices
which can have a far-reaching positive impact on rainforest
protection by choosing products that include sustainably
harvested rainforest resources that do not compromise the well-
being of rainforest communities and species; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge all residents of this
Commonwealth to become more conscious of the benefits of the
world's rainforests, that schools hold discussions about the
effects that the disappearance of rainforests may have on the
world and that all residents speak out to the President and the
Congress of the United States, corporate officials and others
about any concerns that they may have about the need to protect
the world's rainforests; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the Rainforest Foundation US, to the presiding officers of each
house of Congress and to each member of Congress from
Pennsylvania.
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