Issue Position: Protecting the Environment & Slowing the Pace of Climate Change

Issue Position

There's no denying it -- climate change is happening and we have to address it now. In Minnesota, we've already seen milder winters, heat waves, droughts, and floods.

Climate change is a threat to our environment and the health and safety of all Americans. But it also presents us with a great opportunity to create economic growth through smart public policies. We must continue to encourage growth in the renewable energy sector, and become a world leader in innovation. America led the world in creating and adapting new technologies in the 20th century - let's make sure we continue that trend by leading the global green economy.

Our approach to addressing climate change doesn't need to be onerous. We can lower our carbon emissions, build an energy infrastructure that relies less on fossil fuels, and attract and advance the industries of the future by looking for innovative solutions on climate change. If we invest in emerging energy industries we can create good jobs and get back on track as a global leader in our new energy economy. I look forward to working on a bi-partisan basis to pass common sense initiatives, like instituting a carbon fee and dividend program to reduce our nation's reliance on fossil fuels through market-based solutions.

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