[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 7, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT A HOAX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Espaillat) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I wear my mask in solidarity and support 
for the families, the children, the seniors being impacted by the 
Canadian wildfires. I rise today to call attention to the climate 
crisis, which we are all witnessing before our very own eyes.
  Air pollution is spiking across the country from wildfires that have 
been raging in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia.
  To be clear, Mr. Speaker, this is just the start of the Canadian 
wildfire season, and it is evident that due to the human and societal 
impacts on climate, there is an increase in wildfire season, length, 
frequency, and burn area.
  Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax.
  We are not only seeing the haze from these fires, we are also feeling 
it in our very own lungs. The environmental and public health impacts 
are very real, and we must do more to hold polluters accountable.
  Thirty-seven percent of the total area of forest burned in the 
western U.S. and Canada since 1986 can be linked to emissions released 
by the world's 88 biggest fossil fuel producers and cement 
manufacturers.
  Air pollution from wildfire smoke has become a significant health 
risk in the United States, and it is growing.
  Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax.
  In my city of New York, we are being severely impacted, and we are 
taking extreme precautions, especially for children, older adults, and 
asthmatics.
  Last night, the city's air quality index was 215, a score considered 
very unhealthy by the Environmental Protection Agency. This was deemed 
the second worst level of air pollution in the world.
  The situation is so grave that Mayor Eric Adams forced schools to 
cancel all outdoor activities today.
  Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax.
  Is this the future for our children? Let me remind you that millions 
of Americans die each year from air pollution-related health issues.
  In 2016, around 4.2 million premature deaths were associated with 
fine particulate matter, according to the World Health Organization.
  That is why I am insisting on passing my bill, the Green Climate Fund 
Authorization Act, which will authorize appropriations to the Green 
Climate Fund, ensuring that the U.S. is a leader in global solutions to 
combat climate change.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax.
  Moreover, we know where the money goes. It matters. Join me in this 
fight in cosponsoring the Green Climate Fund Reauthorization Act.
  Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax.

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