Press Releases

Reps. Don Beyer and Alan Lowenthal, co-chairs of the Congressional Safe Climate Caucus, today wrote to Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi in support of steps by House Democrats to become the “strongest voice possible” in Congress advocating for action on climate change.

They wrote:

“The United States is the world’s largest economy and second-largest greenhouse gas emitter. The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report highlights the critical need for the United States to more effectively address known causes of climate change.

…

In light of President Trump’s decision to withdraw from Paris, rollback federal standards that limit greenhouse gas pollution, and suppress climate science within federal agencies, it is imperative that Congress have the strongest voice possible to prepare the way forward with evidence. As co-chairs of the Safe Climate Caucus, we believe that the committees of jurisdiction and future Chairs are ready and able to tackle this challenge. However, should you decide to create a select committee on climate change in the 116th Congress, we stand ready to work with you.”

The Congressional Safe Climate Caucus was founded by Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) in 2013 “to bring attention to the urgent need to address climate change.” It has since grown to a membership of over 50 in the House, and is expected to play a role in discussions on climate action under a Democratic majority in the 116^th Congress.

Text of the letter follows, and a signed copy is available here.

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Democratic Leader

H-204, US Capitol

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Leader Pelosi:

Congratulations on House Democrats’ successful effort to re-take the House in the 2018 election. As you know well, candidates across the country won their election by putting the concerns of everyday Americans on the ballot, including the urgent threat of climate change.

The United States is the world’s largest economy and second-largest greenhouse gas emitter. The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report highlights the critical need for the United States to more effectively address known causes of climate change. The IPCC report found that climate change is occurring earlier and more rapidly than expected and that “limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.” We already see the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather like deadly wildfires and heavy rainfall, rising sea levels, and diminishing Arctic sea ice. Warming of 1.5°C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible change.

In light of President Trump’s decision to withdraw from Paris, rollback federal standards that limit greenhouse gas pollution, and suppress climate science within federal agencies, it is imperative that Congress have the strongest voice possible to prepare the way forward with evidence. As co-chairs of the Safe Climate Caucus, we believe that the committees of jurisdiction and future Chairs are ready and able to tackle this challenge. However, should you decide to create a select committee on climate change in the 116^th Congress, we stand ready to work with you.

The Safe Climate Caucus was created to build support within Congress and across the country for the effort to protect the planet for future generations. We believe the next Congress must examine climate impacts and policy solutions in order to accomplish that goal.

Sincerely,