[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 157 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 157

 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the effects of global 
  warming-induced climate disruption on the Pacific nations that are 
  allies of the United States and the resulting threat to the global 
                    interests of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 1997

 Mr. Faleomavaega submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
        was referred to the Committee on Internaional Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the effects of global 
  warming-induced climate disruption on the Pacific nations that are 
  allies of the United States and the resulting threat to the global 
                    interests of the United States.

Whereas the world's leading climate experts who comprise the Intergovernmental 
        Panel on Climate Change (hereafter in this preamble referred to as the 
        ``IPCC'') have reported that ``the balance of evidence suggests a 
        discernible human influence on global climate'';
Whereas the IPCC has concluded that the effects of global climatic disruption 
        due to increased greenhouse gas emissions could result in (1) a global 
        temperature increase of 1.8 to 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100; 
        (2) a rise in sea level of 6 inches to 3 feet by the year 2100; (3) 
        extreme weather events due to a more vigorous hydrological cycle, such 
        as increased flooding in some areas and more severe droughts in others; 
        (4) saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies; and (5) the spread of 
        infectious diseases, including malaria and dengue fever;
Whereas the IPCC estimates that today's carbon emissions will remain in our 
        atmosphere for a century or more;
Whereas more than 2,600 scientists recently signed the Scientists' Statement on 
        Global Climatic Disruption calling on the United States, as the world 
        leader in greenhouse gas emissions, to provide leadership this December 
        in Kyoto, Japan, where an international protocol to the United Nations 
        Framework Convention on Climate Change, to which the United States is 
        party, is scheduled to be signed;
Whereas relations between the United States and Pacific island nations 
        historically have been marked by a spirit of mutual understanding and 
        cooperation on a wide range of issues;
Whereas Pacific island nations and the United States share a commitment to world 
        peace, and the Pacific islands have traditionally been supportive of 
        major United States initiatives, including United States positions at 
        the United Nations;
Whereas at the Seventh Economic Summit of Smaller Island States (SIS), held 
        September 17, 1997, in the Cook Islands, a statement was issued to 
        reaffirm, recognize, and endorse the Second Assessment Report of the 
        Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of 1996;
Whereas the United States is a Forum Dialogue Partner in the South Pacific Forum 
        and is a participant or contributor to other regional organizations, 
        including the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the South 
        Pacific Commission, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the El Nino research in 
        conjunction with the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration (NOAA), the South Pacific Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), 
        the Joint Commercial Commission (JCC), the U.S. Studies Country Program 
        (USSCP), in connection with the Integrated Coastal Zone Management 
        (ICZM) Program, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the 
        South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone (SPNFZ) Treaty, the Asia-Pacific 
        Economic Cooperation (APEC), the World Bank, and the Asian Development 
        Bank;
Whereas the bonds of cooperation are established between the United States and 
        Pacific island nations either through independent territorial, 
        commonwealth, or free association relationships;
Whereas certain Pacific island nations, in alliance with the United States, have 
        historically provided for an important U.S. regional strategic presence 
        and have continued to provide such vital assistance in recent years;
Whereas the world is becoming more politically and socially volatile, with 
        growing security threats in proximity to the Pacific region and in other 
        potentially hostile global theaters;
Whereas Pacific island nations, with many inhabited atolls, lie only a few feet 
        above sea level and are faced with the constant threat of flooding and 
        the possible loss of their nations due to a rise in sea level induced by 
        global warming;
Whereas Pacific island nations such as Nauru, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, the 
        Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of 
        Micronesia are already experiencing the effects of an accelerated sea 
        level rise, such as salinization of soil and water, erosion, and rising 
        tides;
Whereas the National Academy of Sciences has determined that the efficiency of 
        nearly every United States energy use can be improved and that the 
        United States could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions significantly at 
        low cost or potential savings; and
Whereas research and development into advanced energy saving technologies would 
        position the United States as the leading exporter of these 
        technologies, reduce the dependency of the United States on foreign oil, 
        and help balance the trade deficit: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the United States, with its advanced technologies and 
        comprehensive studies on global climate conditions, should be 
        committed to the proposition that global warming is a very 
        serious international issue, and the United States take 
        appropriate measures to consult closely with the nations of the 
        world to address this serious problem; and
            (2) the leaders and peoples of Pacific island nations 
        should be commended for their efforts to enhance the 
        consciousness and sensitivity of the world community by raising 
        the issue of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.
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