[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WE MUST TAKE STRONG ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, John F. Kennedy said, ``When written in 
Chinese, the word `crisis' is comprised of two characters. One 
represents danger and the other represents opportunity.'' Those words 
ring true with regard to perhaps the greatest crisis facing our world: 
climate change. We face imminent and continuing danger, but we also 
have an opportunity to change course and leave behind a better planet 
for future generations.
  Global warming is happening. The ten hottest years on earth since 
1880 have all occurred since 1997. According to the New York Times, 
2012 was the hottest year ever in the continental United States, a full 
degree hotter (in terms of average temperature) than the previous 
record. More than 60 percent of the country, including much of the 
Midwest, experienced severe drought. Wildfires spread throughout areas 
of the western United States, and severe storms ravaged the east coast.
  We face serious danger. Over the next few centuries, sea levels could 
rise an average of 12 feet, swallowing coastal areas in the U.S. and 
around the world. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change, drought and famine could lead to decreased water availability, 
increased starvation, and new instability in many regions of the 
world--particularly Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
  This crisis presents an opportunity. This Congress has a unique 
ability to take leadership in addressing what is a planetary problem 
for us right now. We can act now, or we can let our opportunity pass 
by. The choice should be clear.
  I support a comprehensive approach to climate change. I was a strong 
proponent for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed 
the House in 2009. That legislation would have introduced a renewable 
energy standard, subsidized important research and development of clean 
technologies and energy efficiency, and created a cap and trade system 
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It would have had a significant 
impact in curbing the warming of our planet, and I believe it should be 
the model for action taken in the current congress.
  As a member of the Environment and the Economy subcommittee and of 
the Waxman-Whitehouse climate change task force, I will continue to 
push for comprehensive and immediate action. I promise to collaborate 
with anyone from either side of the aisle to work toward constructive 
and meaningful solutions. We must act together to forge a legislative 
solution to this crisis while we can still do something about it.
  The time is now. This is our moment--all of us--Republicans and 
Democrats. We must act to preserve and protect the planet for our 
children and grandchildren, and for their children and grandchildren. 
We cannot afford to be on the wrong side of history.

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