Schatz Points To New Report On Climate Change As A Call For Action

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) said that the Third National Climate Assessment Report out today by the U.S. Global Change Research Program shows an urgent need for Congress to renew energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation and for the Environmental Protection Agency to be able to curb carbon.  The report detailed potentially devastating impacts around the country, including in Hawai‘i and the Pacific, where coastal flooding, decreasing freshwater availability, and impacts on animal populations are real and pose threats to food and water security, infrastructure, and public health and safety.

“Climate change is happening.  The new National Climate Assessment report is a harsh reality check for anyone who thinks we don’t need to act on climate change,” Senator Schatz said.  “Rising ocean temperatures and sea levels have and will continue to threaten Hawai‘i’s food and water security, unless we act now. We can’t afford to wait.”

Senator Schatz also called on climate deniers in Congress to stop their repeated attempts to strip the government of its ability to reduce carbon pollution through limits on EPA authority and attempts to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

“In the same week that another sobering report is released, the Senate is again faced with attempts by Republicans to weaken the government’s ability to fight climate change,” said Senator Schatz.  “We should be moving forward with comprehensive climate legislation, not having to defend reality against those who refuse to believe in science or are in the pocket of big oil or big coal interests.”

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