[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.
<all>