[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 10411]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1020
                             CLIMATE CHANGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McNerney) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, the impacts of climate change can no 
longer be denied--superstorm hurricanes, massive tornados, record-
breaking droughts and heat spells, accelerating melting of glaciers, 
and increasing ocean salinity. Due to the effects of climate change, 
many highly populated communities at low elevation face increasing 
pressure from storms and rising waters, potentially driving massive 
migrations to higher ground. If we continue on this path, extensive and 
severe droughts will hurt food production and fresh water supplies in 
the United States. Similar occurrences around the world will certainly 
be destabilizing and potentially draw the United States into dangerous 
conflicts.
  Most climate change models predict increasing severity of these and 
other effects. However, the reality is that most computer models are 
being outpaced as the carbon buildup and energy trapped in the 
atmosphere accelerates.
  Despite these developments, there is an increasing partisan divide on 
the issue of climate change. Many of my Republican colleagues are 
either in complete denial that global warming is happening, don't 
believe human activity is causing the problem, or think that it would 
be too expensive to take the necessary steps to mitigate and adapt to 
global warming. This gross partisan behavior in denial of science is 
becoming a clear and present threat to our national security and well-
being.
  Would we sit by if a foreign power built up a threatening military 
force on one of our borders? Of course not. And yet, climate change 
presents a threat that's just as dangerous.
  So what will it take for this Nation to greatly reduce carbon we are 
adding to the atmosphere and begin the process of preparing for the 
changes that are coming? Will it take a global weather catastrophe? 
Will it take several more Hurricane Sandy's? How many years of drought 
will the Midwest be forced to endure?
  With global warming, the signs of change are overwhelming. We cannot 
wait for a global catastrophe that will impose massive suffering enough 
to overcome our civil institutions. Our national security depends on us 
taking action now.
  The good news is that if we do take action now, the cost is 
affordable and the benefits are significant. Even if climate change 
were not a threat, reducing our consumption of fossil fuels will make 
the environment cleaner and energy costs less volatile. Increasing 
energy efficiency will greatly reduce family utility bills while making 
our homes more comfortable. Using renewable energy creates stable jobs. 
On the other hand, if we wait until a global or regional climate 
catastrophe forces desperate action, the consequences will be expensive 
and possibly deadly.
  Those who reject science and deny human-caused climate change are 
fostering a dangerous threat to our Nation's future and to future 
generations of all Americans. I hope that those who deny the effects of 
climate change see the danger that they are subjecting our Nation to, 
or that the voters elect representatives who will take the responsible 
actions necessary to address the imminent threat of climate change.

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