[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 12, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CLIMATE CHANGE
(Mr. MORAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the House's attention to
the compelling issue of climate change that the House majority
continues to refuse to address. There are a number of us who plan on
speaking every day on the House floor on the need for Congress to take
action on climate change. We are making this commitment because this
Chamber is filled with such a large collection of climate deniers.
It is here in Congress, though, where a long-term strategy to address
this issue will have to be crafted if we are to avoid the worst-case
scenario and the catastrophic consequences of climate change.
Today, there should be complete consensus on the science of climate
change: that the higher concentrations of greenhouse gases over the
past 50 years are due to human activity; that the rapid increase in
global temperature could not have been caused by natural factors alone;
and that the severe temperatures and extreme weather events we have
experienced in recent years, including the devastation brought by
Hurricane Sandy, all fit into the predictive pattern of global climate
change.
Failure to take action dooms future generations to more powerful and
destructive weather events, alters our coastlines, and subjects our
nation to more droughts and food scarcity.
Mr. Speaker, an overwhelming majority of the public accepts these
scientific findings and understands a status quo energy policy heavily
dependent on the burning of fossil fuels must change.
It is not only unsustainable but injurious to our nation's future.
In the coming weeks we will be highlighting the consequences of
continued inaction and ways we can move forward with solutions.
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