Buchanan Votes to Support Climate Change Accord

Press Release

Congressman Vern Buchanan voted today for legislation to keep the United States part of an international agreement addressing climate change, saying global warming presents "a serious threat to the Suncoast and the rest of Florida."

The Climate Action Now Act passed the House by a vote of 231 to 190 and now goes to the Senate. It would ensure that the United States remains in the landmark Paris Climate Accord, which has been embraced by 196 nations as a way to reduce global warming.

The U.S. would be the only country in the world not part of the agreement if the Trump administration follows through on its plan to withdraw next year. The last two countries to join were Syria and Nicaragua.

"Climate change is a serious threat to the Suncoast and the rest of Florida, which has two coastlines vulnerable to rising waters," Buchanan said. "Environmental protection and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. We should be doing everything possible to accomplish both."

Buchanan was one of three Republicans to vote for the measure, which keeps the United States in the voluntary and non-binding agreement. The Climate Action Now Act also requires the president to submit a plan to Congress on how to meet the targets outlined in the accord. Going forward, the U.S. could decide to change or abandon its target goals for any reason, such as economic hardship or if other countries renege on their commitment.

Buchanan was one of the first Republicans in 2017 to urge President Trump to remain in the agreement.

The climate agreement would attempt to lower greenhouse gas emissions, slow temperature increases and create a worldwide response to global warming. Climate change has been identified as a cause of sea level rise, changes in frequency and intensity of storms and drought.

The Suncoast is especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. According to the Bradenton Herald, the Bradenton area could see $25 billion in home value loss due to climate change-related sea level rise. Almost 40,000 houses in the Bradenton area could end up underwater by 2100, according to projections based on data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Last week, Buchanan and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) re-introduced the Marine Oil Spill Prevention Act, which would make the current moratorium on oil drilling off of Florida's Gulf Coast permanent and as well extend the ban to off of Florida's entire coastline. A longtime opponent of drilling in the Gulf, Buchanan joined a bipartisan group in Congress urging former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to forgo any plan to drill off Florida's coast.

In February, Buchanan chaired a Florida delegation hearing on some of the most pressing water quality issues affecting the Sunshine State.

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