Rep. DeGette Reacts to New Global Warming Report
Rep. DeGette Reacts to New Global Warming Report
Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) commented today on a new report from the world's leading scientific body on climate change stating that there is a 90 percent chance that human activity is causing global climate change.
"This report is the smoking gun on climate change," said. Rep. DeGette. "Climate change is real, it is happening now and it is human induced. For twelve years the Republican leadership ignored this looming threat and refused to act. The new Democratic majority will not make that same mistake."
The Physical Science Basis released today by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world's leading scientific body on climate change, highlights how an increase in global temperatures is already impacting climate worldwide. This will have far reaching effects on sea levels, ice cover at the poles and extreme weather by the end of the century.
"Climate change will have a devastating impact on Colorado and the West," said Rep. DeGette. "Fire danger will increase precipitously. Reduced snow pack will hurt our economy which is so dependent on tourism, and our reservoirs will empty out. Water is already a precious commodity in our arid climate; we can't afford to take any more chances."
The IPCC is comprised of more 2,000 scientists from more than 130 countries and is considered the most knowledgeable scientific body on climate change. Today's report is the fourth and most compelling IPCC report since 1990. With each report, the scientists involved have concluded that the certainty of a human effect on global climate has increased, while the likelihood of other factors playing a predominant role in observed warming has decreased.
"As the new Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce I look forward to working with Chairman Dingell and Leadership in finding solutions to this growing threat. We will hold hearings to help us fully understand this problem and develop the best response. Democrats are committed to solving this problem," said Rep. DeGette.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/IPCC.html