Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and I, Co-chairs of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, spearheaded a letter signed by 26 Senators offering support for the People’s Climate March. The March, which is expected to be one of the largest demonstrations about climate change in history, is taking place in New York City this weekend. See the letter below.
Dear Climate March Participants,
We commend all the citizens, business leaders, unions, faith groups, schools, social justice groups, environmental organizations and others from across the nation who have gathered in New York City for the People’s Climate March this weekend. Although we cannot all be with you, we want you to know that your participation sends a strong signal to the U.S. Congress and leaders around the globe about the need for action to protect our communities and families from the impacts of climate change.
As you know, climate change is real. It’s happening all around us. According to the most recent National Climate Assessment, we could see a 10 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature by the end of the century if we do not act to limit dangerous carbon pollution now. Failing to reduce harmful carbon pollution, which 97% of scientists agree is leading to dangerous climate change, threatens the health and economic well-being of our country and those around the world.
We know that climate change and rising temperatures are already contributing to increased ground level ozone and smog, which worsen respiratory illnesses like asthma, and will lead to more heat-related deaths. Carbon pollution is wreaking havoc on our oceans where we see rising seas, unprecedented acidification, and warming temperatures. And the economic costs are mounting from the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events associated with climate change.
Fortunately, it is not too late to act. By reducing carbon pollution, we can avert the most calamitous impacts.
Climate change deniers need to pull their heads out of the sand and stop obstructing efforts to address climate change. Poll after poll shows the American people want our leaders to protect their families and future generations from the effects of dangerous climate change and to support federal limits on carbon pollution.
The call for action from concerned citizens like you is one of the reasons why the Senate Climate Action Task Force was formed. It’s a way for us to use our bully pulpit to “Wake up Congress” about the serious threat posed by climate change and to push leaders across the globe to do more to address this problem.
Thank you for participating in the People’s Climate March and for making your voices heard on the need for action. Your vision and commitment is truly inspiring.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer, Co-Chair Sheldon Whitehouse, Co-Chair
U.S. Senate Climate Action Task Force U.S. Senate Climate Action Task Force
Patrick Leahy Dianne Feinstein
Patty Murray Ron Wyden
Jack Reed Charles E. Schumer
Maria Cantwell Robert Menendez
Benjamin L. Cardin Bernard Sanders
Amy Klobuchar Tom Udall
Jeff Merkley Kirsten Gillibrand
Christopher Coons Richard Blumenthal
Brian Schatz Tammy Baldwin
Christopher Murphy Mazie Hirono
Martin Heinrich Elizabeth Warren
Edward J. Markey Cory Booker