[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             CLIMATE CHANGE

  (Ms. GABBARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, the effects of the sequester are broad and 
far reaching.
  Up to 2,600 NOAA employees expect to be furloughed and 2,700 
positions not filled, which will affect managing our natural resources 
and our ability to address climate change.
  Climate change is real. According to the Pacific Islands Regional 
Climate Assessment, across the Pacific Islands region, the frequency 
and intensity of climate extremes are changing.
  Hawaii is usually thought of as a lush, green paradise, but droughts 
have been more frequent and prolonged. For example, earlier this month 
the Big Island of Hawaii was declared a natural disaster due to ongoing 
extreme drought conditions going back to July of 2008. This is causing 
havoc for our farmers and ranchers. Waikiki, a highly visited and well-
known treasure around the world, would be wetlands with beaches gone by 
the end of the century.
  We must take action. We cannot afford to ignore this problem that is 
currently and will continue to wreak havoc across the globe for 
generations.

                          ____________________