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119th CONGRESS
1st Session |
Recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Markey, Mr. Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Welch, and Ms. Blunt Rochester) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.
Whereas climate change is causing the oceans to absorb roughly 14 zettajoules of excess heat every year;
Whereas the top 2,000 meters of the global ocean have been significantly warning, gaining approximately 372 zettajoules of excess heat since 1955;
Whereas, by 2100, it is projected that the rate of ocean warming in the top 2,000 meters will be 2 to 6 times greater than the rate of warming at the time of the introduction of this resolution;
Whereas ocean warming can have deleterious effects on biodiversity and sea life, including the health of coral reefs, which contribute $3,400,000,000 annually to the United States economy;
Whereas ocean warming will cause United States fish populations to move across international boundaries or into the high seas, causing economic uncertainty for fishermen;
Whereas climate change is acidifying the oceans, threatening the environmental health and biodiversity of the United States;
Whereas ocean warming and acidification can cause numerous harms to ocean life, including to species with calcium carbonate shells, which are key components of the ocean’s food webs;
Whereas warming sea surface temperatures will shrink populations of the world’s most abundant phytoplankton, significantly damaging the ocean food web;
Whereas warmer oceans will increase the risk and severity of harmful algal blooms, especially in the spring and summer months, which at the time of the introduction of this resolution cost between $10,000,000 and $100,000,000 annually on average and harm ecosystems, fisheries, drinking water, public health, recreation, and tourism;
Whereas increased ocean temperatures have expanded Vibrio concentrations in the United States, a bacterial pathogen that can cause severe illness, infection, and death in humans;
Whereas warmer oceans increase evaporation rates, increasing atmospheric humidity, which fuels stronger hurricanes and extreme precipitation events;
Whereas ocean warming caused North Atlantic hurricanes at the time of the introduction of this resolution to be, on average, a category more intense, with wind speeds averaging 18.6 miles per hour faster, wreaking more damage; and
Whereas our oceans are warming rapidly each year: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that climate change is imposing serious harms on our oceans and on coastal communities.