[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 354 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 354

 Recognizing that the climate system of the Earth is warming and that 
most of the increase in global average temperatures is very likely due 
      to the observed increase in human greenhouse gas emissions.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 22, 2009

 Mrs. Lowey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

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                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing that the climate system of the Earth is warming and that 
most of the increase in global average temperatures is very likely due 
      to the observed increase in human greenhouse gas emissions.

Whereas the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in March 2007 
        that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and that most of the 
        observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th 
        century is very likely due to the observed increase in human greenhouse 
        gas concentrations;
Whereas the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that climate change 
        may lead to increased drought, more heavy downpours and flooding, more 
        frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires, greater sea level rise, 
        more intense storms, harm to water resources, agriculture, wildlife, and 
        ecosystems, and higher concentrations of ground-level ozone, a harmful 
        pollutant;
Whereas the National Academies of Sciences recognizes significant global warming 
        is occurring, it is likely that most of the warming in recent decades 
        can be attributed to human activities, and this warming has already led 
        to change in the Earth's climate;
Whereas the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) has concluded that rising 
        sea levels are submerging low-lying lands, eroding beaches, converting 
        wetlands to open water, exacerbating coastal flooding, and increasing 
        the salinity of estuaries and freshwater aquifers;
Whereas the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) affirms 2008 
        was the eighth warmest year on record for the Earth, based on combined 
        average of land and ocean surface temperatures;
Whereas the World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases (WDCGG) affirms that 
        greenhouse gas concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere have increased 
        dramatically since the Industrial Revolution, with carbon dioxide 
        growing from about 280 ppm in 1850 to about 380 ppm today; and
Whereas the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a proposed finding 
        that greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, contribute to air 
        pollution that may endanger public health or welfare: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the climate system of the Earth is 
        warming and that most of the increase in global average 
        temperatures is very likely due to the observed increase in 
        human greenhouse gas emissions; and
            (2) recognizes legislation is needed to mitigate risks 
        humans and ecosystems face from a warming climate system.
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