Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2454, AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY AND SECURITY ACT OF 2009 -- (House of Representatives - June 26, 2009)
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Mr. McGOVERN. I thank the gen tle lady from California for yielding to me.
Madam Speaker, I stand here today in support of this rule and in support of the underlying legislation.
I want to thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Chairman Waxman, and my Massachusetts colleague, ED MARKEY, for crafting and shepherding through this tremendously important legislation.
This bill will reduce the release of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere, reduce global warming, and concurrently will spur the creation of millions of clean-energy jobs in the United States.
Specifically, I would like to thank the chairman for including funding for domestic and international adaptation and clean technology transfer. While I supported greater dedication for adaptation funding, this represents a necessary first step in U.S. commitment.
By dedicating a portion of the allowances to international adaptation financing, we can ensure that those poorest of countries who have already been and will continue to be disproportionately impacted by climate change will receive crucial funding to help them save their farmlands, sources of water, and oftentimes their homes.
As a co-Chair of the Congressional Hunger Caucus, I am particularly concerned with the impacts of climate change upon the hungriest in the world. By investing in sustaining agriculture technology and practices, adaptation financing will help in this fight to end hunger.
For many island nations and equatorial countries, the harmful impacts of climate change have already taken their toll. Sea level rise, caused by rising global temperature, has already fundamentally altered the geography of some nations.
Madam Speaker, to echo what Speaker Pelosi has emphasized consistently, there is a moral imperative to be good stewards of this Earth. And as we look toward the negotiations in Copenhagen this December, the world is looking for leadership from the United States for global solutions to this global problem. And by leading the way on clean-energy technology and services to help the poorest nations build resistance to climate change impacts, the U.S. will experience a boon in job creation and innovation. Solutions such as efficient water systems and irrigation technology can create jobs here while solving problems abroad.
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Mr. McGOVERN. Devoting portions of revenues from a cap-and-trade system to investments in international adaptation to those countries most vulnerable is a clear signal to the world that the U.S. is ready to lead in combating global climate change.
I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation.
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