With strikingly frequent incidents, this year has made clear what our planet faces: a true climate crisis. The devastation we have experienced from Hurricane Dorian, rapidly increasing global temperatures, fires in the Amazon and melting ice sheets are reminders we must take immediate action to combat climate change.
Last week, the House passed three bills I had proudly co-sponsored to protect the health and stability of our coastal environments and economies, helping address the climate crisis. These bills would ensure we preserve our natural resources, protect vital ecosystems and permanently stop drilling in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
Earlier this year, I introduced the National Green Bank Act, based on the excellent work the Connecticut Green Bank has done, to ensure capital is directed toward the development of environmentally friendly technologies and to support eligible energy efficiency projects. And the House has passed HR 9, calling for the United States to immediately rejoin the Paris Climate Accords.
But we still have a long way to go to address our climate crisis. We must go forward, not backward.
Mitch McConnell and the White House refuse to stand up for our environment and face our climate crisis. Their failed leadership is failing us and dooming future generations to escalating climate crises.
Once again, we are seeing courageous young people rise up and lead, like Greta Thunberg. This Friday, hundreds of thousands of climate advocates and activists will walk out of their schools and workplaces for a Global Climate Strike to demand action on climate change. They are demanding action and change and we must listen.
By continuing to organize together, and with your support, we can elect a climate-focused majority next year to ensure we do everything we can to immediately face and combat climate change.
Your future and all our futures depends on it.
