[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 71 (Monday, May 20, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H2788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          SAFE CLIMATE CAUCUS

  (Mr. CLEAVER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, while the public is split 50-50 on whether 
the science of climate change is settled, there is overwhelming 
agreement--over 97 percent--among climate scientists that the human 
activity of this Earth is causing climate change.
  Imagine if we compare that percentage to the medical field. If 97 
percent of 100 doctors told you that you have cancer, would you refuse 
to take treatment?
  Whether one believes that humans are contributing to climate change 
is in some ways irrelevant because we are certainly paying for its 
effect. The Federal Government spent $96 billion in 2012 to clean up 
after extreme weather events. That's nearly three times the amount paid 
by private insurers. That is more than we spend on transportation or 
education.
  Though many have yet to embrace the facts that climate research has 
found, we must take action to mitigate these growing costs. As Ben 
Franklin once said: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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