Issue Position: Energy & Environment - Climate Change

Issue Position

Climate Change

I believe that our greenhouse gas emissions have put our global environment, social structure, and national security in peril, and if we fail to act, the impact will reverberate during the later decades of this new century. The volatility of our climate, including floods and droughts, severe weather, and temperature extremes will result in the loss of human lives, increased susceptibility to disease, the extinction of species of animals and plants, destruction of ecosystems, and increased social conflict.

Among the political challenges we face is that our greatest obligation in tackling the threat of global climate change is not to each other. Our greatest obligation is to the generations of Americans and people all around the world who haven't been born yet -- the ones who will inhabit this planet long after we are gone. What if they could speak to us about the future we left them? What would our great great grandchildren say to us about what we did, once we knew that our climate was changing and that we were to blame?

I support measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, slow the rate of global warming and protect our environment. There are essentially three ways to achieve these goals:

* Use less energy
* Use clean energy
* Capture and store carbon from dirty energy

As a member of the Energy & Environment Subcommittee of the Energy & Commerce Committee, I have been actively engaged in crafting a mandatory, market-based, cap and trade bill to address climate change. The American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the House, meets these targets. It has four key components -- it increases renewable energy requirements, sets higher energy efficiency standards, creates a cap and trade program to address emissions, and provides assistance and incentives for transitioning to a low-carbon economy--our opportunities for success are achievable. Additionally, the bill includes language that I drafted to help EPA establish a well-designed greenhouse gas registry to ensure comprehensive emissions reporting nationwide. Such data is critical to ensuring a successful U.S. climate policy.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act is our nation's response to a challenge that has consequences of epic proportions. It brings what we need in terms of leadership and commitment as we look toward Copenhagen and beyond. And, it recognizes that our nation's security, our planet's sustainability, and our children's future hang in the balance. At the same time, we recognize that the world is watching our every step.

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