On the recordMay 28, 2014
I join my colleagues tonight in opposition to the irresponsible cuts in this bill to vital climate research. The CJS mark slashes NOAA's climate research program by 24 percent below the fiscal year 2014 levels and 37 percent below the President's fiscal year 2015 request. Does the majority think that with less climate research we can make better informed decisions? Does the majority think that with less climate research we can better prepare our communities for higher storm surges? Does the majority think with less climate research we can better understand why the Western United States has increased wildfires and water shortages? Does the majority think that with less climate research we can improve our predictions and responses in our planning for hurricanes? And, finally, does the majority think that with less climate research we can improve our ability to model regional weather pattern changes, which will affect the productivity of our agricultural sector? Unfortunately, the majority's bill shortchanges our ability to realize all these vital benefits of climate research. If we hide our heads in the sand, the laws of physics will not change. We cannot wish away this problem. Denying a changing climate is not just another political position. It is a denial of reality. I want to make this point to those in Congress who think the verdict is still out on whether human actions contribute to climate change. This is false, it is wrong, and it is misleading.…
