|
Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today applauded former Vice President Al Gore for calling on Congress to address the critical problem of global warming. Gore appeared before a joint hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality and the House Science and Technology Committee's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
"Vice President Gore's remarks today were a much-needed call to arms to save the planet and protect humanity," Pallone said. "After the Bush administration and the Republican Congress ignored global warming for years, we have a new opportunity this year, and the Vice President's hard work and passionate statements will help bring the political will we need to solve this problem."
Gore's testimony compared the need for leadership and long-term vision on the issue to the sacrifices and choices of Americans who fought and won World War II and withstood the Cold War in the interests of securing peace. Gore also outlined a set of legislative options that would help the world avert a dangerous climate catastrophe.
"Global warming will put parts of New Jersey's coastline underwater and increase the number of violent storms and floods we have to deal with, so we need to take strong steps as soon as we can," Pallone said. "The Vice President is doing critical work to rally support for taking action and preventing environmental and economic disasters. We have no choice but to do what we can, and I join Mr. Gore in his clarion call for leadership."
Pallone is an original cosponsor of H.R. 1590, the Safe Climate Act, which requires that by the year 2050 greenhouse gas pollution to be cut 80 percent below 1990 levels. Such a reduction would stabilize atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and limit the increase in global temperatures to a level that scientists agree would avert the worst changes to the climate. |
