Lois Capps: “Climate change is already taking a devastating effect on our planet. We're seeing its evidence in everything from…”

“Climate change is already taking a devastating effect on our planet. We're seeing its evidence in everything from Hurricane Sandy to more extreme droughts and wildfires, but we must not forget that we live on a blue planet--so climate change is an ocean issue, as well. The same greenhouse gases that are changing our climate are also changing our oceans. Our oceans absorb a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. So as carbon pollution increases, so too does the acidity of the oceans. Ocean acidification is threatening the survival of entire food chains and ocean ecosystems that we all depend upon for food, for jobs, and recreation. Mr. Speaker, our window of opportunity to address this problem is quickly closing. And with every day we fail to act, we further jeopardize the future of ocean resources. The President has declared this month as National Oceans Month. And last weekend, the international community celebrated World Oceans Day. Let's live up to this challenge. Let's take action on commonsense measures for healthy and productive oceans now and into the future. ____________________”