Huffman: Listen to the Science—Climate Change is Real

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) took to the House floor on September 26, 2013, and called for a bipartisan approach to addressing the danger of climate change, and an end to extreme, anti-science politics. A transcript of Huffman's speech may be found below: "Mr. Speaker, We are seeing significant natural disasters this month, from the historic floods that are wreaking havoc across Colorado to the third largest wildfire in California's history—the Rim Fire in and around Yosemite National Park. These disasters have taken lives, they have driven families from their homes, and it will take years — and many, many millions of dollars — to clean up and repair all the damage. Yes, they are "natural" disasters. But that doesn't mean we aren't culpable. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as the British meteorological office found in a recent study found that for half of last year's worst weather events, human activities made them more likely and more severe. Specifically, human-influenced climate change had an effect on Superstorm Sandy, heat waves in the United States, and drought in Europe. But the climate-deniers in Congress continue to ignore what is happening right in front of our eyes. We must get beyond extreme politics and start addressing the extreme damage of climate change."