Aguilar Committed to Clean Air and Water for Inland Empire While Chabot Continues to Deny Climate Change even in the Face of DOD Report

Press Release

Today, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, Democratic Candidate for California's 31st Congressional District, released the following statement on the need for policies that promote clean air and sustainability for San Bernardino County. Aguilar understands that climate change is a real and immediate threat, not just to the environment, but to our nation's national security. As the Mayor of Redlands, he worked with his colleagues to pass a climate action plan and has made air quality and clean energy a priority. Investing in education that will train a 21st century workforce for the jobs created by a transition to renewable energy will grow the middle class, protect the environment and grow our economy.

"People in San Bernardino County realize that action is needed to improve our air quality and ensure that we pass on a clean and sustainable environment to future generations," said Aguilar. "In Washington, I will work with members of both parties to make investments in renewable energy technology which will not only reduce emissions and transition us away from fossil fuels, but will also create good paying middle class jobs in the Inland Empire."

His opponent, Republican Paul Chabot, continues to deny the impacts of climate change and the need for immediate action, even in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence. During a debate this week, Republican Paul Chabot made uninformed remarks claiming that the polar ice caps are expanding when overwhelming scientific evidence proves just the opposite.

Chabot, a Navy veteran who touts his national security credentials, seems to be content denying the science on climate change even though, just last week, the DOD released a report stating that climate change is a "threat multiplier" that could "exacerbate terrorism" and "cause instability in other countries by impairing access to food and water, damaging infrastructure, spreading disease, uprooting and displacing large numbers of people, compelling mass migration, interrupting commercial activity, or restricting electricity availability" which could "create an avenue for extremist ideologies and conditions that foster terrorism."

Aguilar supported efforts in Redlands to promote greater energy efficiency and conservation, including green building and climate-friendly purchasing practices. He also helped draw attention to the need for increased investments in renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions in the region and create jobs for a 21st century economy. Aguilar is also a leading advocate for a new passenger rail line in San Bernardino County to reduce heavy traffic and pollution. Aguilar is endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club.

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