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This measure would recognize June 8 as World Oceans Day, and would declare that the Legislature intends to act decisively in 2018 in regard to passing legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in California rivers, beaches, and ocean, and would further declare that the State of California is determined to seek additional ways to curb plastic pollution on those waterways and beaches, and in other natural spaces and communities.

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WHEREAS, World Oceans Day 2018 is celebrated worldwide on June 8th; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution in December 2008 officially recognizing World Oceans Day on June 8th each year; and

WHEREAS, California is an environmental leader in conservation, and is enriched with a beautiful Pacific coastline and ocean that contributes largely to the states economy; and

WHEREAS, The main focus for World Oceans Day 2018 is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, to prevent plastic pollution, and to encourage solutions to maintain a healthy ocean; and

WHEREAS, Plastic is made from fossil fuels, both of which pose a major threat to our oceans; and

WHEREAS, Every piece of plastic ever made still exists today, and with only 9 percent of plastic waste having been recycled, much of it has ended up in the ocean; and

WHEREAS, The amount of plastic pollution in the ocean is increasing at an alarming rate, and plastic will eventually outweigh the number of fish in the ocean by 2050; and

WHEREAS, The current equivalent of one dump truck of plastic enters our ocean every minute, and 80 percent of the oceans plastic comes from land-based sources; and

WHEREAS, A plastic bag was recently discovered in the worlds deepest ocean trench; and

WHEREAS, Microplastics, which are small particles of plastic including microbeads and microfibers, are now being found ubiquitously in waterways and oceans around the world; and

WHEREAS, Research now shows how plastic and associated toxins are being found throughout the oceans ecosystem, including in seafood sold for human consumption; and

WHEREAS, Most of the plastic pollution in our communities, waterways, and oceans comes from single-use items, such as cigarette butts, straws, plastic bottles and bottle caps, and takeaway items, including containers, cups, and utensils; and

WHEREAS, Local governments throughout California spend approximately $428 million each year to prevent litter in streets, storm drains, waterways, and beaches; and

WHEREAS, Source reduction is a less expensive and more effective way to minimize plastic pollution than cleaning it up or otherwise mitigating its impact; and

WHEREAS, World Oceans Day is a worldwide movement of citizens on behalf of the ocean to mobilize and unite the worlds population on a project for the sustainable management of the worlds oceans; and

WHEREAS, World Oceans Day celebrates the beauty, wealth, and promise of the ocean; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes June 8th as World Oceans Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature intends to act decisively in 2018 in regard to passing legislation aimed at reducing plastic pollution in California rivers, beaches, and oceans; and be it further

Resolved, That the State of California is determined to seek additional ways to curb plastic pollution in our waterways, rivers, beaches, and oceans, and in all California natural spaces and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies to the author for appropriate distribution.