[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 26, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6128-S6129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CLIMATE WEEK
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I wish to voice my support for the
eighth annual Climate Week NYC, which took place in New York City from
September 18 to 24. The 2017 Climate Week brought together businesses,
governments, academics, civil society, and other stakeholders to
advance international action and cooperation to better understand the
science and challenges of climate change and to plan and execute
actions to address this ever-evolving crisis facing humanity. Climate
Week traditionally occurs during the U.N. General Assembly in support
of enhanced dialogue to advance international cooperation between
nations and, since 2015, to ensure the success of the Paris agreement.
As the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I
strongly believe climate diplomacy must be a top priority for U.S.
foreign policy. Climate change poses an imminent and long-term threat
to not only our national security and economic success, but also the
long-lasting prosperity of this country. Addressing this crisis
requires collective action and cooperation by local and national
representatives, small and large businesses, and every one of us. If
the U.S. is to maintain our status as the world's superpower, it is in
our best interest to lead the global effort to address the serious
challenges posed by climate change. When America leads, we not only
protect and enhance our own interests, but we have the unique ability
to bring others along and help forge consensus, but regardless of
whether the U.S. continues to lead or if we retreat, as the President's
decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement suggests he is
interested in doing, the rest of the world has made it quite clear that
they plan to press ahead with or without us.
That is a sad day for America's global leadership. Moreover, it is
foolish to believe that the collaborative policies and multilateral
efforts around reducing global emissions will not affect the United
States simply because we choose not to participate.
For example, the Trump administration refused to participate in the
development of the G20's ``Hamburg Climate and Energy Action Plan for
Growth,'' which outlines a global economic partnership plan for a clean
energy future. This week, Canada, the EU, and China are hosting a
climate ministerial meeting of 30 major and emerging economies in
Montreal to develop multilateral actions to advance the implementation
of the Paris agreement. Fortunately, the administration will be
represented at this ministerial event, but not at the same levels of
power as most other countries participating. Moreover, the U.S. is
merely participating, when it would best serve of our interests to lead
an engagement like this, where we could be steering the agenda, as
opposed to ceding such leadership to China.
Increased global demand for clean energy and the incorporation of
carbon accounting into world markets are clear signals that the global
economy is on a low-carbon trajectory. If we stand on the sidelines as
these changes in international economics take shape--with Syria and
Nicaragua as the only other nations not party to the agreement--we will
be the loser.
Denying the scientific and real world evidence of climate change is
irresponsible, and it is equally irresponsible to deny or ignore the
economic shifts occurring around the world as a result of international
efforts to combat climate change.
Climate change is real. The science is indisputable. While hurricanes
have always happened this time of year over the North Atlantic and Gulf
of Mexico, changes in the global climate--because of increased carbon
emissions into the atmosphere from human activity--have created warmer
atmospheric and surface water conditions that are increasing the
likelihood of intensely powerful hurricanes.
We have seen the destruction caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and
Maria and the devastating effects they have brought to millions of
Americans. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected. First
and foremost, our country must assist and provide relief to those
affected. That includes our citizens and their neighbors in the
Caribbean.
As we come together as a nation to help survivors in need now, we
must also act to reduce future risks and protect more people from
becoming victims in the future. That means acknowledging the reality of
climate change and acting to reduce pollution that has been
scientifically proven to be changing our environment and causing the
increased intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes,
droughts, and wildfires.
In addition to the rises in sea levels, record-breaking droughts are
plaguing regions in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and East Africa.
NASA's ongoing research on climate change shows the significance of
human-induced climate change, threatening our national security and our
socioeconomic and diplomatic ties across the world. Reviewing the
evidence we are presented with, it is clear the only way we can tackle
climate change is through global leadership and action based on science
and based on the urgency of preserving our way of life.
[[Page S6129]]
Here at home, every city and State bears some risk from the effects
of climate change. Fortunately, many State and local and private sector
leaders recognize this reality. Despite the absence of leadership from
the Trump administration, these individuals and the States, localities,
and businesses they represent across many sectors are taking a stand
against the national security threats posed by climate change.
Even though the President's actions on the Paris agreement are
demoralizing, this by no means equals defeat for our Nation and the
rest of the world.
One way to show other nations we are indeed committed to this global
cause is to join them by building on the progress we have made here in
our own country from the local to national level. Domestic climate
change and clean energy policy, including substantial investments in
clean energy research, development, and production, have made the U.S.
an incubator for investment and entrepreneurship. Creating a robust
domestic market helps companies develop credible track records, skilled
workforces, and scalable products to export around the world to a
market hungry for clean energy solutions. This is where domestic action
intersects with U S. ``climate diplomacy.''
We should look toward U.S. corporations that are shifting to cleaner
technology as an illustration of our continued fight against climate
change. U.S. political leadership in innovation and technology combined
with increased global demand for clean energy technology can help
create transformational job growth opportunities across the United
States. Each day we dither on making the right political choices on
clean energy is a day we lose global clout to China, India, and other
nations who are racing to fill the void our current retreat has
created.
As we look to be more resilient to climate change, our global
partners have already started to combat the issues through innovation
and adaptation. For example, Holland's recent shift to innovate against
flooding is a good example of how other nations are actively working to
adapt to climate change and create financial opportunities.
Holland's shift to high-tech water management systems will protect
against future flooding and scarcity of freshwater sources. These are
technologies that the Dutch will likely export to other nations and
regions at risk of flooding, so the Dutch will profit from the
investments they have made and the experiences they have gained taking
prudent measures to protect themselves against the effects of sea level
rise.
This strategic measure sets an example for how the U.S. should work
collectively with businesses and local governments to set aside funding
proactively for future climate change mitigation and adaptation. Taking
this sort of action would not only benefit my home State of Maryland
because of its low coastal geography, but also States like New York and
South Carolina.
According to the New York City Department of Environmental
Protection, Manhattan and the other boroughs have experienced a
significant increase in flooding events, attributable to local sea
levels having risen an average of 1.2 inches per decade since 1900, a
trend that will only worsen without decisive action to stabilize
Earth's climate. There is no doubt that adapting our infrastructure to
withstand the effects of climate change will provide substantial
benefits to our communities and our economy.
We are fortunate that some corporations such as the members of the
Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable, BIER, are stepping up to
reduce carbon emissions. BIER's commitment to reduce energy consumption
and better manage water resources are important examples of how U.S.
industry is demonstrating leadership in advancing environmental
sustainability and addressing environmental challenges.
More than 900 U.S. businesses support keeping the U.S. in the Paris
agreement, including more than 20 Fortune 500 companies. American
businesses need the U.S. Government at the negotiating table to
represent their interests. Acting to prevent the worst effects of
climate change holds tremendous economic and job growth opportunities
for Maryland and our Nation. Such an ambitious global goal can only be
achieved through strategic action starting at the local level,
supported by a Congress and President through policy and political
courage.
Fighting climate change is essential to U.S. national security
interests and to growing U.S. economic opportunities. Meanwhile, the
world continues to look to us for leadership. I remain motivated to
join my colleagues and people across the country to fight global
climate change so that we can demonstrate our Nation's commitment to
leading climate diplomacy and to maintain the American private sector's
strength in a changing global economy.
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