Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

In February 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international network of scientists, for the first time concluded that global warming is "unequivocal" and that human activity is the main driver of it, causing most of the rise in temperatures since 1950. Specifically, deforestation and an overdependence on fossil fuels have played a large part in the decline of our atmosphere and the loss of numerous natural resources. The Nature Conservancy reports that deforestation is responsible for 20-25 percent of all carbon emissions. Another 20 percent stem from automobiles and trucks.

Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a report that expounds upon the IPCC findings and claims that climate change is undeniable and is the reason why the past decade is the warmest in the history of record-keeping. The report notes unmistakable upward trends in air temperatures from more than 7,000 weather stations all over the world.

Corporate interests have spent millions of dollars espousing mistruths about climate change and presenting a false choice to the American people - the idea that efforts to preserve our planet and ensure our own survival will destroy the American economy. However, this Congress has exposed these claims for what they really are - lies. The 111th Congress has passed some of the most extensive and ambitious environmental legislation this country has seen since the 1970's. Furthermore, this Congress has proven that we can indeed strengthen the American economy and ensure that all Americans can breathe cleaner air and drink cleaner water. I am honored and proud to be a part of such a historic effort.

As a Member of Congress, I have supported numerous legislative initiatives and efforts aimed at addressing climate change and preserving our natural resources:

The Gulf Oil Spill

On April 20th, the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded killing eleven crew members and creating an oil spill that has now become the worst environmental catastrophe in U.S. history. I commend the President Obama and his Administration for doing everything possible, in the face of incredibly adversity, to minimize the damage of the spill on both the economy and environment of the Gulf Region.

The Deepwater Horizon Rig activities were considered by all to be a low risk drilling exploration, a classification that scares me given the countless riskier drilling ventures occurring along the coasts of this great nation. This tragedy demonstrates that no matter how technologically advanced we become, we can never guarantee the safety of our environment and our citizens when it comes to dangerous and dirty energy sources like oil and coal. In the months of March and April 2010, we have seen 42 people die in dirty energy accidents - 29 in the Massey coal mine incident, 11 in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and another two miners in an accident in Kentucky.

We have also witnessed the ecological and economic damage an incident like the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill can have on dozens of species and thousands of small businesses. It is time for America to develop clean, safe energy sources that create millions of well-paying, safe jobs and enhance the environment rather than destroy it.

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