[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TAIWAN'S EXCLUSION FROM THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON 
                             CLIMATE CHANGE

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call my colleagues' 
attention to the continued exclusion of the Republic of China (Taiwan) 
from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC).
  As we have witnessed far too often, Taiwan is vulnerable to the 
impacts of climate change, having the natural environment of a 
subtropical island. In 2009, Taiwan was devastated by Typhoon Morakot. 
In just two days, a total of 2,500 mm of rain fell in Central and 
Southern Taiwan, the heaviest rain in over 50 years. Floods and 
landslides caused severe loss of life and property. Extreme weather 
events such as these, coupled with rising sea levels caused by global 
warming, are endangering Taiwan's environment and survival.
  The fact that Taiwan is unable to use the resources of the UNFCCC 
seriously cripples Taiwan's efforts to meet the challenges posed by 
global warming and climate change. For the welfare of Taiwan's 23 
million residents, it urgently needs to be included in the disaster 
early warning system, to have access to real-time information and to be 
part of climate change adaptation mechanisms.
  This unjust exclusion not only hurts Taiwan, but it also hurts the 
global community, since Taiwan has a great deal to contribute to global 
environmental efforts. For nearly four decades, Taiwan has been 
developing a robust legal framework for environmental protection, 
beginning with the Water Pollution Control Act in 1974 and most 
recently in June 2009, with a law advancing the development of 
renewable energy. Taiwan's Environmental Protection Agency has 
implemented measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission and has invited 
international agencies every year since 1993 to verify the volumes of 
Taiwan's production, import and export of ozone-depleting substances. 
Taiwan is also at the forefront of developing solar power, alternative 
fuels, and wind power, reducing vehicular emissions, improving air 
quality and managing solid waste.
  Taiwan needs to be included in the UNFCCC and the world needs to 
include Taiwan. I urge my colleagues to support Taiwan's inclusion in 
the UNFCCC and I yield back the balance of my time.

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