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

Sep 27, 2016
Statement on the Clean Power Plan’s Day in Court

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments from polluters and their special interest allies aimed at derailing the Clean Power Plan, one of our strongest weapons against the urgent threat of climate change. We believe that the Clean Power Plan is rooted in a solid legal foundation consistent with Congress’ intent under the Clean Air Act. We are confident the plan will be upheld and will ultimately save lives by reducing pollution from power plants.

May 12, 2016
SEEC Statement on EPA Methane Rules

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final rules to regulate methane–the principle component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas–from new, reconstructed and modified sources in the oil and gas industry. SEEC Members released the following statement:

Apr 22, 2016
Earth Day 2016

SEEC Members work year round to support clean air, clean water, a healthy environment, and climate action. On Earth Day 2016 SEEC Members celebrated the U.S. leading more than 170 other countries in signing the Paris Climate Agreement and took many other opportunities to celebrate Earth Day and the environmental progress made in the last year. April 16-24, 2016 is also National Park Week and many SEEC Members took actions to highlight National Parks and Public Lands in or around their districts.

Mar 15, 2016
SEEC Member Statements on Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Washington D.C. – On March 15th 2016, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper announced a proposal for the nation's Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022.

Mar 11, 2016
Statement on U.S.-Canada Joint Climate, Energy, Arctic Announcement and EPA Plans to Limit Methane Emissions from Existing Sources

Washington D.C. – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to the United States begins a new era of cooperation between the United States and Canada on climate issues. SEEC Members released the following statement on the U.S.-Canadian joint climate, energy, and Arctic leadership announcement:

Mar 03, 2016
SEEC Endorsed 50x30 Clean and Carbon-free Energy Resolution Introduced
SEEC Member Rep. John Delaney (MD-06)
More than 130 Members of Congress join call for more than 50 percent of U.S. electricity to come from clean and carbon-free sources by 2030.
Feb 03, 2016
How Climate Change Became a National Security Problem | By SEEC Member Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05)

SEEC Member Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Medium
As a Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am briefed every week on our most pressing and urgent threats. And it is clear that climate change is one of them.
Jan 14, 2016
Statement on Retirement of SEEC Co-Founder and Vice-Chair Rep. Steve Israel

On January 5, 2016 SEEC Co-Founder and Vice-Chair Rep. Steve Israel (NY-03) announced that he would not seek reelection this year to the 115th Congress. SEEC members released the following statement.

Dec 14, 2015
SEEC Member Statements on Paris Climate Agreement
From November 30th through December 12th more than 190 parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) met in Paris, France. This 21st Conference of the Parties (COP-21) had the primary goal of negotiating an international agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions that are damaging our climate and threatening communities around the world. On December 12th a final agreement was announced.
Nov 6, 2015
Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline Rejection

Washington, D.C. - Today, President Obama announced that he would reject the Keystone XL pipeline after determining that the Canadian tar sands pipeline is not in the interest of our country or our climate. SEEC members released the following statement:

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