The National Climate Assessment is a sober reality check on humans’ impact on the planet. It lays clear that human-related emissions must be reduced immediately to effectively neutralize rising global temperatures.
Climate change is no longer a fringe issue: 7 in 10 Americans believe it will bring harm, and 75 percent support regulating carbon dioxide emissions.
To fend off the ill effects of living in a too-warm world, we all have the personal responsibility to build awareness of our individual carbon footprint and accept the reality that our shopping, eating, and driving decisions do matter.
We can also encourage our elected officials to explore legislative action. The Citizens’ Climate Lobby consists of ordinary citizens who meet with Congress to discuss climate change and a proposed carbon fee and dividend. They established the House Climate Solutions Caucus, a group of 30 Democrats and 30 Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives who explore policy solutions together.
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler has been invited to join the Climate Solutions Caucus but is not yet a member. I respectfully encourage her to find a seat at the table and begin to contribute thoughtful leadership on this very urgent issue.
