Climate Change

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
Today, President Trump released his budget blueprint for fiscal year 2018. The Trump Budget is characterized by massive cuts to environmental and climate change programs, clean energy investment, and science funding in order to offset a $54 billion increase in military spending, plus the cost to construct an environmentally damaging southern border wall. Here are some of the proposed cuts that are most concerning for SEEC members.
The Trump Administration has released a budget that would slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by more than 30 percent and eliminate 20 percent of staff. EPA plays a critical role in the protection of our clean air and water and supports the clean-up of contaminated sites around the country, often in the form of grants to states. The budget would also cut or eliminate other important clean energy and climate change programs at other agencies. SEEC Leadership Members released the following statements in response to these proposed cuts:
Washington D.C. – It has been reported that the Trump Administration plans to slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by almost 25 percent and eliminate 20 percent of staff. EPA plays a critical role in the protection of our clean air and water and supports the clean-up of contaminated sites around the country, often in the form of grants to states.
Today, President-Elect Trump nominated Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. SEEC Co-Chairs Gerry Connolly (VA), Doris Matsui (CA), and Paul Tonko (NY) released the following joint statement:
SEEC Member Rep. Jared Huffman & Sen. Ed Markey