Issue Position: Protect our Environment and Slow the Pace of Climate Change

Issue Position

The average American has come to understand that the extreme weather seen globally, and experienced by our nation, is at least in part the result of human-induced climate change. In Minnesota, we already are seeing milder winters, heat waves, droughts and floods. There is no doubt that climate change is happening now, and that the warming of the past 50 years is largely due to human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gasses. These emissions come mainly from burning coal, oil and gas. This challenge presents us with a great threat and a potential opportunity to create economic growth through smart public policies. While the President's Clean Power Plan is a good start, we must continue to promote federal policy that encourages growth in the renewable energy sector, making wind, solar and energy efficiency investments in this nation while decreasing our reliance on less environmentally-friendly energy sources. As a state, we understand the importance of clean water. We must ensure that our policies and practices prioritize ensuring a continued supply of clean water in our country.

Source