04.22.16

House Dems Commemorate Earth Day

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee are commemorating Earth Day by renewing their pledge to ensure all Americans have access to clear air, clean water, and public lands, today and for generations to come. Democrats on the Committee take a strong stand every day in favor of legislation that protects our planet.

“We are beginning to see the real effects of man-made climate change in this country,” Ranking Member Grijalva said. “Even though we’ve taken a step forward with our conservation efforts, there is so much more that can be done to protect our planet. It’s unfortunate that the Republican Party continues to deny the effects of climate change and ignore the damage it does to our environment, public health, and our economy. On this Earth Day, I urge my Republican colleagues to listen to the scientists and the American people who believe we need to take stronger action to fight man-made climate change.”

“Washington, foreign governments and each of us at home all share a generational responsibility to combat climate change,” Federal Lands Subcommittee Ranking Member Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.) said. “But ultimately, America must lead the way. We must embrace modern policies that cut emissions, increase the use of renewable energy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and encourage the development of innovative green technologies. If we are successful, the economic, security and environmental benefits to our nation will be widespread, long-lasting and significant. Earth Day is a perfect way to highlight what needs to be done. The cost of inaction is simply unacceptable and the price of delay too high.”

“We have made progress in recognizing the significant environmental dangers to our planet since the first Earth Day in 1970, but much work remains to protect the earth's many natural resources,” Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) said. “We must always remember we borrow the lands we live on from the generations to come, and we have a moral obligation to protect them for our children and grandchildren. We must continue efforts to address climate change head-on, invest in renewable energy and innovative technologies, and ensure we don't roll back progress achieved in protecting endangered species, cleaning our waters and improving air quality. The signing of today's Paris Agreement by President Obama and more than 160 other countries is a step to ensure we continue to move in that direction.”

“On this Earth Day, the U.S. will join with more than 150 countries to sign the landmark Paris Climate Agreement, and take the next step toward creating a healthier and safer environment for our communities, while protecting our families’ health,” Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Ranking Member Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) said. “I am proud that the U.S. is leading this effort. Let’s capitalize on this unprecedented global achievement by supporting a swift transition away from dirty fuels and toward a future of low-cost, locally-made clean energy.”

“As we celebrate Earth Day today, we must recognize that we have a responsibility to protect our planet in the face of a worsening climate crisis,” Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said. “We need to take bold steps that will put us on a safer path for future generations, and allow our children and grandchildren to inherit a cleaner Earth and a healthier environment.”

 

“Today we recognize the accomplishments achieved to protect our planet, and also realize we’ve got a lot left to do,” Congressman Jared Polis (D-Colo.) said. “The Paris Summit was a historic global initiative that placed us on a realistic path to combat climate change. Now we must focus on implementing these policies and building upon the work achieved by the international community.”