Safe Climate Caucus

Floor Speech

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, while the public is split 50-50 on whether the science of climate change is settled, there is overwhelming agreement--over 97 percent--among climate scientists that the human activity of this Earth is causing climate change.

Imagine if we compare that percentage to the medical field. If 97 percent of 100 doctors told you that you have cancer, would you refuse to take treatment?

Whether one believes that humans are contributing to climate change is in some ways irrelevant because we are certainly paying for its effect. The Federal Government spent $96 billion in 2012 to clean up after extreme weather events. That's nearly three times the amount paid by private insurers. That is more than we spend on transportation or education.

Though many have yet to embrace the facts that climate research has found, we must take action to mitigate these growing costs. As Ben Franklin once said: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Source