June 4, 2008

Senators, Scientists And Religious Leaders Discuss Urgent Need To Address Climate Security

Washington, DC—Senators Barbara Boxer, Joe Lieberman and Amy Klobuchar held a press conference with academic experts and religious leaders today to discuss the scientific and moral importance of passing the Climate Security Act of 2008.  Scientists tell us we need to immediately cut the carbon pollution that causes global warming because the longer we wait to act, the more costly and difficult it will be to undo the damage.  Democrats believe we have a moral responsibility to our children and grandchildren to be good stewards of the environment. 

“We have a deep moral responsibility to do everything we can to save God’s creation, and all the creatures in it, for our children and grandchildren,” Boxer said.  “Science tells us there is a small window of time in which we must act to protect our planet from global warming.  The time to act is now.”      

Said Lieberman: “Faith leaders rightfully ask that climate legislation achieve two purposes: saving God’s natural creation and protecting the poor.  I take their endorsement as validation that the Climate Security Act achieves both of those fundamental purposes.  I am deeply grateful for their support.”

“Climate change represents a world of challenges, but it also represents a universe of opportunities,’’ Klobuchar said.  “If we set high standards, then investment, technology, innovation and jobs will come.”

Said Cameron Wake, a University of New Hampshire climate scientist who recently released a statement along with more than 1,700 other scientists and economists urging Congress to take immediate steps to reduce the pollution that causes global warming: “The climate our children and grandchildren inherit depends on the choices our country makes now.  We have the ability to avoid the worst consequences of global warming and we must do so.”

“As people of faith we are concerned with climate change and its impact on God’s creation and God’s people, particularly those living in poverty, around the world,” said Andrew Genszler, Director of Advocacy for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  “We are called to till and to tend God’s creation and to ensure justice for the voiceless and the vulnerable.  The greatest injustice that we inflict upon those living on the economic margins in the U.S. and the world is to do nothing on climate change.”

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