Democratic Climate Forum

SEEC Members to Highlight Global Efforts to Combat Climate Change Ahead of Paris Negotiations

International Panel to Discuss Unique Challenges in Addressing Climate Change & Expectations for COP21

The effects of climate change are being felt worldwide, impacting every corner of the planet and every sector of the global economy.  With the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference of the Parties (COP21) just two weeks away, more than 150 countries, representing roughly 90% of global emissions, have already submitted plans for reducing carbon pollution to the United Nations, and over 80 companies from across the American economy have pledged their support for action on climate change.  Despite this overwhelming support from the international and business communities, Congressional Republicans continue to bury their heads in the sand by refusing to hold even one hearing on climate change or commonsense policy proposals ahead of this historic summit.

On Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 2pm in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room HVC-210, members of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) will join House Energy & Commerce Committee Democrats to hold a forum to hear perspectives on climate change from the international community before the Paris climate negotiations begin in December.

The forum, “Global Solutions to Climate Change,” will allow representatives from foreign governments to explain the unique challenges faced by their countries, adaptation and mitigation efforts already underway, and their expectations for COP21.

Member of Congress:

Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Ranking Member and SEEC Co-Chair

Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ranking Democratic Member, House Energy and Commere Committee

Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-17), SEEC Vice-Chair

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), SEEC Vice-Chair

Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), SEEC Member

Rep. John Sarbanes (MD-03), SEEC Member and Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Rep. Eliot Engel (NY-16), Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-01), Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Rep. Joe Kennedy III (MA-04), Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), Energy & Commerce Committee Democrat

Panel Witnesses:

Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States of America

Ambassador Ronald Jumeau, Roving Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island Developing State Issues of the Republic of Seychelles

Ms. Kitty van der Heijden, Ambassador for Sustainable Development of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, currently on secondment to World Resources Institute

Mr. Bruno Fulda, Counselor for Ecology, Sustainable Development, Energy and Transportation at the Embassy of France

Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University (on behalf of the Solutions Project)