[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H9085-H9086]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CLIMATE CHANGE IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO OUR PLANET

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Gallego) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, as the world looks to its leaders convened 
in Paris this month to act on the greatest threat to our planet, I rise 
today in support of a strong and fair global climate agreement. Now is 
the time to demonstrate our leadership and our obligation to the 
security and protection of our communities and our economy by 
committing to a robust agreement that puts us on a safer path for 
future generations.
  Last week, Mr. Speaker, House Republicans showed the American people, 
once again, where they stand when it comes to tackling the threat of 
climate change. By casting political votes against the Clean Power 
Plan, their message is loud and clear that any meaningful action will 
be met with attacks and political theater.
  Mr. Speaker, political theater does nothing to stop rising sea 
levels, extreme weather, and land erosion. Failure to act will risk 
American economic prosperity and will disproportionately impact the 
poorest and most vulnerable communities across our Nation.
  In the American Southwest, Latino and African American populations 
are

[[Page H9086]]

more vulnerable to heat exposure and heat stress due to factors like 
substandard housing and the lack of affordable utility costs. Native 
American communities face additional unique challenges. They rely 
directly on natural resources for food, medicine, and jobs, all of 
which are expected to be negatively affected by climate change. These 
communities have all called for action on a national and international 
scale, and we must listen.
  Mr. Speaker, my Democratic colleagues on the Natural Resources 
Committee have called on the Republican leadership to tackle this 
problem. But time and time again, we have been met with silence and 
inaction when it comes to discussing and acting on these critical 
issues. We must do better. Around the world, nations are looking to the 
United States for leadership on this serious issue. We must step up and 
join other nations who have already made commitments to act on climate 
change.
  The facts are clear: Action on climate change will not undermine our 
economy; it will support economic growth. In fact, acting will produce 
real benefits for our environment and our economy, including new 
businesses, better jobs, lower poverty, and reduced mortality rates. 
And businesses agree.
  Last week, in a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal, over 100 top 
companies, including Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Sprint, and DuPont, all 
called for strong action to tackle climate change in order to minimize 
climate risk and boost the economy. These businesses recognize what I 
hear from folks in my district from Phoenix and across Arizona: The 
time to act is now. We must build on the progress made in Paris.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand with the scientific, environmental, and public 
health communities who all agree that Paris must be the floor, not the 
ceiling, of our ambition. If the world takes a step forward in Paris, 
our partners will be prepared to build stronger climate policies and 
agreements moving forward. Local governments, States, and businesses 
will be empowered to reaffirm their commitments to low-carbon pathways 
for decades to come.
  Some argue that America cannot lead on climate. Mr. Speaker, America 
led the way into space, to the creation of the Internet and computers, 
to cellphones and so much more. We can and must lead into this new 
energy future. Our innovations and our leadership are going to fuel a 
cleaner and safer environment and economy, and our policies must 
reflect these realities.
  When future generations look back on the progress made in Paris, I 
hope it will be to thank us for what we have accomplished in order to 
leave them a healthier and safer environment. Let's not let politics 
and grandstanding prevent us from taking responsibility for the planet 
we are leaving behind for our children and our grandchildren.

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