Rep. Huffman: Typhoon in Philippines is a Wake-up Call on Climate Change

November 14, 2013

WASHINGTON­—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) took to the House floor today to remind his colleagues to take heed of the tragedy in the Philippines and to listen to the words of the Philippines' delegate to the UN climate summit.

“Climate change is affecting every country, but the impacts are not distributed equally. It is likely that the poorest nations on earth will be the hardest hit,” Congressman Huffman said. “The Philippines tragedy is the latest wake-up call on climate change, so let’s wake up.”

A video of Congressman Huffman’s remarks may be found below:

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A transcript of Congressman Huffman’s remarks can be found below:

“Thank you Madam Speaker.

I rise today to once again speak about the issue of climate change, which is affecting every country, but as the World Bank has found, the impacts are not distributed equally. It is likely that the poorest nations on earth will be the hardest hit. The UN ranks the Philippines as the country that is third most vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of its geography, its poverty, and the state of its infrastructure.

As all of my colleagues know, one of the most powerful storms on record tore through Asia this past week and the Philippines in particular. In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan many thousands are dead and hundreds of thousands more are homeless and desperate for help.

As we learn more about the devastation there I ask my colleagues to pay careful attention to the words of Yeb Sano who is the head of the Philippines delegation to the United Nations climate talks.

He says, and I quote, ‘What my country is going through, as a result of this extreme climate event is madness. Typhoons such as Haiyan and its impacts represent a sobering reminder to the international community that we cannot afford to procrastinate on climate action.’

He’s right. The Philippines tragedy is the latest wake-up call on climate change, so let’s wake up.

I yield back.”