05.02.19

Chair Grijalva Shares Climate Stories From Across the Country as Democrats Pass Climate Change Bill, Look Ahead to Further Action

Washington D.C. – As House Democrats today approved H.R. 9, the Climate Action Now Act, Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) highlighted climate impact stories that Americans across the country have sent the House Natural Resources Committee. Grijalva said the passage of H.R. 9 was a good step for climate action and that he looks forward to continuing to produce strong climate policy both in the Committee and through the House Democratic Caucus.

Since the beginning of the 116th Congress, House Democrats have held more than 30 hearings on various aspects of the climate crisis across eight committees and 14 subcommittees. Under Chair Grijalva’s leadership, the House Natural Resources Committee launched a monthlong series of climate hearings at the beginning of this Congress and has made climate change one of the committee’s top priorities.

Witnesses testifying at Natural Resources Committee hearings have told vivid personal stories about the damage climate change is inflicting on American communities, Native American tribes, our oceans, and the natural world.

“Climate change is dramatically changing the daily lives of Americans across the country,” Grijalva said today after H.R. 9 passed the House. “I’ve heard from mothers, fathers, grandparents, teachers, outdoor enthusiasts, health care professionals, seniors and others who see the natural world change before their eyes. Our policies and our sense of urgency need to reflect the well-founded anxiety and fear they have for our communities and the future of our planet. Taking this seriously is not optional. If we don’t reduce our emissions, address our unsustainable economic practices and limit the devastating impacts of climate change, we’re all in trouble.”

As part of Chair Grijalva’s efforts to learn more about how climate change is impacting the communities across the country, he launched an online tool earlier this year for the public to share climate change stories. The stories the public has shared paint a clear picture of the stress climate change is adding to American lives – costs have gone up, homes and forests are burning up, wildlife patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, communities are experiencing more extreme weather, loved ones are suffering from asthma, our public lands are changing, and trees and animals are dying.

Excerpts of some of these #ClimateChangeImpactsMe stories are available below:

“I am a high school teacher. I teach environmental and sustainability topics in my classes. I recently asked students in my school to complete an anonymous survey about how they are thinking about climate change. Many of the responses indicated worry, fear, anger about the world they will be living in in the future, and deep frustration with a system and a government that seems unwilling to take significant action. I share these feelings. I think about this every day. I worry about the world my niece and nephew will inhabit. I grieve the impacts climate change is already having on many of the most vulnerable populations in the world. These are real emotions and they take a toll over time.” Victoria from Ohio

“Emergency medicine is a specialty that cares for vulnerable patients, who are disproportionately impacted by climate change, and patients who are impacted by disasters, such as an extreme weather event. I am seeing more patients, especially elderly patients, those with chronic medical conditions and the homeless, present with heat related illnesses. In addition, I am seeing more patients with tick-borne illnesses, asthma and seasonal allergies. I am also seeing climate refugees…” Amy from Massachusetts

“Climate change has altered very fundamental aspects of life in Southern Ca. In 2005 we began to see Coast live Oaks ‘bleeding0’ sap, crowns dying and limbs falling.” George from California

“I can't remember a time when the climate was so unpredictable or so extreme - both hotter, colder, wetter, drier. It just takes common sense to know that if we don't do something about climate change, our earth will be destroyed.” Eileen from California

“…Every one of us must take action now to save life on this beautiful planet. Climate change must be a global priority issue.” Carol from Washington  

“My California Central Coast region's creeks and rivers are running dry from unprecedented drought.” Brian from California

“The massive fires in Alaska and elsewhere made breathing difficult on many summer days, especially for my mother. We had to buy several air purifiers for her home.” Deborah from California

“I worry on a daily basis about the climate crisis and the kind of world my son, nieces and nephews are going to live in and the inevitable challenges they are going to face.” Amy from Massachusetts

Read more stories about how climate change is impacting Americans by following the hashtag #ClimateChangeImpactsMe and visiting our website at http://bit.ly/2JgskfE.

Everyone is encouraged to share their climate change story at http://bit.ly/2WAz5NF.

Press Contact

Adam Sarvana

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