Congresswoman: Act on climate change after national assessment

U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee's Environment Subcommittee, called for comprehensive action to reduce carbon emissions and for stronger investments in clean energy following the release of the second volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment by the U.S. Global Change Research Program.

The National Climate Assessment is a science-based evaluation of the consequences of climate change, the risks of inaction, and potential adaptation strategies. The second volume provides a regional focus that acknowledges the disproportionate effects of climate change on vulnerable communities and different sectors of our economy.

"It is past time for Congress and the country to address the growing threat of climate change," Bonamici said. "The National Climate Assessment adds to the overwhelming research demonstrating that the consequences of inaction on climate change will be serious and swift. Without intervention, we will see record heat waves, more acidic oceans, raging wildfires, unprecedented hurricanes, rising sea levels, and a surge in extreme weather patterns - all in our lifetime."