Climate Change

Climate Change represented by a split image of a healthy tree and a dead tree

Human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are warming our planet and changing our climate at a rate that cannot be attributed to natural variations. We are already feeling the effects of climate change in the form of warmer temperatures, extreme weather variations, rising seas, and ocean acidification. Comprehensive climate solutions are available to us today. Clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, and lower carbon transportation systems are possibilities right now, with existing technology. Growing an innovation economy will help to accelerate the deployment of these solutions while continuing to lower costs. Climate change is problem we cannot and should not neglect. Nearly every country on the planet, including the U.S., China, and India, have signed the Paris Climate Agreement to act on climate. If we continue to ignore the threats posed by climate change, we risk serious damage to our national and economic security, international collaboration, and the health and safety of our children, grandchildren, and all future generations.

More on Climate Change

Aug 12, 2021
SEEC Co-Chairs urge inclusion of House voices and SEEC priorities in Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
Washington D.C. – Today, Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Doris Matsui, and Paul Tonko, sent a letter to House and Senate Leadership congratulating Senate partners on reaching a bipartisan infrastructure deal and encouraging inclusion of House, and especially SEEC Member, voices in the legislation.
May 26, 2021
Exclusive: House Environment Coalition’s Memo Covers Legislative Priorities in Congressional Drafting of American Jobs Plan

Lisa Martine Jenkins

Morning Consult

  • SEEC's list of priorities includes a mandate for the electricity sector to utilize 100% clean energy by 2035.

  • The list also calls for a 10-year extension on several clean energy tax credits; in 2020, the SEEC asked for one-year extensions in the context of pandemic-related stimulus and for five-year extensions more broadly.

May 20, 2021
Sustainability Leaders in Congress call for increased job-creating climate investments in the upcoming annual funding bill
Washington D.C. – Today, the leaders of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Doris Matsui and Paul Tonko, and Vice-Chairs Reps. Alan Lowenthal, Chellie Pingree, Mike Quigley, A. Donald McEachin and Matt Cartwright, called for robust climate investments in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget and appropriations cycle that, at a minimum, adhere to the $14 billion in increased climate investments called for by President Biden
Apr 22, 2021
SEEC Co-Chairs respond to President Biden's commitment to cut greenhouse gas pollution in half by 2030
Washington D.C. – Today, the Co-Chairs of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Reps. Gerry Connolly, Doris Matsui and Paul Tonko, made the following statement in response to the Biden-Harris Administration's announcement that it will set a new U.S. target under the Paris Agreement to reduce our net greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% from 2005 levels in 2030.
Apr 6, 2021
SEEC Leadership submits testimony to Way & Means Committee; calls for long-term clean energy tax credits
Washington D.C. – Today the leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Paul Tonko, Doris Matsui, and Gerry Connolly, and Vice-Chairs Reps. Chellie Pingree, Alan Lowenthal, Mike Quigley, A. Donald McEachin and Matt Cartwright, submitted testimony to the Ways and Means Committee for its Member Day hearing.
Mar 31, 2021
SEEC Leadership Statement on the American Jobs Plan
Washington D.C. – Today, the Leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Paul Tonko, and Doris Matsui and SEEC Vice-Chairs Reps. Chellie Pingree, Alan Lowenthal, Mike Quigley, A. Donald McEachin and Matt Cartwright, made the following statement on the Biden administration's newly announced American Jobs Plan.
Jan 26, 2021
Sustainability leaders in the House reinforce call to focus on the climate crisis in 117th Congress
Washington D.C. – Today, the leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) sent a letter to House Leadership and a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris to reinforce the urgent need to address the climate crisis. The letters call for a climate-smart recovery that includes both investments and standards to create jobs, increase equity, and protect our planet from climate change for generations to come. The letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris also includes an outline for critical executive actions.
Jan 20, 2021
SEEC Co-Chairs applaud President Biden’s order to rejoin Paris Climate Accords
Washington D.C. – Today SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Paul Tonko, and Doris Matsui released the following statement in response to President Biden's order to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement.
Dec 21, 2020
SEEC Co-Chairs applaud passage of sustainable recovery policies as first step
WASHINGTON, D.C. – SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Gerry Connolly and Paul Tonko made the following statement in response to the passage of SEEC priorities in the end-of-year-funding package.
Dec 18, 2020
Co-Chairs Applaud the Nomination of SEEC Member Rep. Deb Haaland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – SEEC Co-Chairs Reps. Gerry Connolly, Paul Tonko and Doris Matsui made the following statement in response to the announcement that the Biden-Harris Adminstration will nominate SEEC Member Rep. Deb Haaland for the role of Interior Secretary.
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