Opening Statement on Global Warming - May 25, 2013

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology

I want to thank the chair of the full committee as well. Ranking member Eddie Bernice Johnson and I sent a letter before this earlier-scheduled hearing emphasizing the importance of this topic.

The reality of climate change is increasingly impossible to deny. Over the past 25 years, numerous scientists from the United States and around the world have appeared before Congress to testify about climate change. Countless peer review studies have shown that climate change is real, and that humans are a significant contributing factor.

Now we must shift the debate to planning and discuss what actions we should take to mitigate the environmental, economic and health effects that will inevitably hit our communities.

The state of the subject of this hearing is policy-relevant climate issues. Because a preponderance of scientific evidence shows that human activity is contributing to changes in the global climate, I submit that all climate change issues have become policy relevant.

The United States, a large historical producer and second largest current producer of greenhouse gases, bears a great responsibility to the rest of the world to ensure that we promote policies that will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we continue to place in the earth's atmosphere. We have the talent and ability to take on this important leadership role. We should also as a country have the will to do so.

Glacial withdrawal, loss of sea ice, ocean acidification, rising temperatures in sea levels are real and measurable problems. Although the effects of climate change are global, the impacts of this change are already felt throughout the United States. Recent droughts in the American Southwest and historic severe weather events throughout the country are recent examples. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, 2012 was the warmest year on record in the United States, and the nine warmest years have all occurred since 1998.

Climate change affects our economy. In my state of Oregon, we've developed a reputation for growing quality wine grapes, including world renowned Pinot Noir. Much of the quality is attributable to the climate in Oregon, where the Pinot grapes grow at a temperature range between 57 and 61 degrees. Even a minor variation in temperature can threaten the continued quality, enhanced value to the Oregon economy of wines in the region.

Another important impact of global climate change on the economy in the Pacific Northwest and other coastal areas includes the affective ocean acidification on the shellfish industry. The district I represent is home to a thriving fishing community. In recent years oceanic and atmospheric changes have caused low oxygen content in the water—hypoxia—that's created dead zones that kill fish, crab, and other marine life.

Agriculture and fishing are just two examples of industries concerned about climate change, and they're looking to their policy-makers for solutions.

Climate change also has brought implications on other aspects of our nation's economy. The federal government assists those who are hard hit by harsh weather events and scientist point to increasingly severe weather patterns as further evidence of the changing climate. The government accountability office recently released a report that—for the first time—lists climate change as a significant financial risk to the federal government. The report adds that the federal government is not well positioned to address the fiscal exposure presented by climate change.

As a nation, we are becoming too familiar with the consequences of waiting until the eleventh hour to develop solutions to the problems we face. Let's not make the mistake with something as serious as climate change. Even though we may have differences of opinion about what is causing climate change, we can still discuss the economic gains we can make by investing in a clean energy economy, modernizing our infrastructure and seeking energy independence.

The United States has been a leader in renewable energy technology and climate research. We must continue our leadership if we intend to leave our children and grandchildren a clean and healthy environment in which they can thrive economically. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to the testimony from these experts today, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Speech from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI0Z3xCpLsQ