Van Hollen Statement on the National Climate Assessment

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement on the National Climate Assessment:

"Today's National Climate Assessment strengthens the scientific consensus on climate change and highlights the critical need to address its effects now. As the report clearly states, we are already experiencing the consequences of inaction in the form of more extreme weather events, longer droughts, and increased incidence of asthma and other diseases. In Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the report warns of health risks from more severe heat waves, economic ramifications of coastal flooding on the Port of Baltimore, and challenges for agriculture and fisheries from changing weather patterns.

"Fortunately, there are common sense, responsible actions we can take to mitigate these impacts. From supporting job-creating innovation in clean energy and energy efficiency -- which the Green Bank Act that I recently introduced would do -- to enacting reasonable limits on damaging pollution, we can start improving this situation now. I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues in Congress to take decisive action to protect and prepare our communities."

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