IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 354 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 22, 2009 Mrs. Lowey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 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

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.