WASHINGTON, March 10 – As part of an all-night Senate discussion on climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement from remarks prepared for delivery later tonight:
“The scientific community has been extremely clear. Climate change is real. Climate change is man-made. And climate change is already causing severe damage in terms of draught, floods, forest fires, rising sea levels and extreme weather disturbances.
“Given that reality, I find it extremely disturbing that virtually all of my Republican colleagues continue to ignore the scientific evidence and refuse to support legislation which will address this planetary crisis.
“My hope is that Vermont will be a national leader in transforming our energy system, moving us away from fossil fuels and into energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Doing that will not only help reverse climate change, but can, over a period of years, create millions of good-paying jobs.”
Note: The Senate floor staff estimates that Sanders turn to will speak will occur at about 9 p.m. Sanders is a member of both the Senate energy and environment committees.
Contact: Michael Briggs (202) 224-5141
Go team!
The Guardian reports that:
– 90 percent of the Republican leadership in both House and Senate deny climate change
– 17 out of 22 Republican members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, or 77 percent, are climate deniers
– 22 out of 30 Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, or 73 percent deny the reality of climate change
– 100 percent of Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Republicans have said climate change is not happening or that humans do not cause it