Barbara Lee: “It is very clear from the science that the most existential crisis this the world faces is from the growing climate…”

“It is very clear from the science that the most existential crisis this the world faces is from the growing climate crisis. Without intervention, our warming planet will have irreversible negative impacts on the United States and throughout the world. Climate change has resulted in lives upended in Texas and Florida and has led to extreme flooding in California and Vermont and throughout the country. Climate is not an issue that can be addressed by countries on their own. Air, water, pollution--they do not respect boundaries or sovereignty. The Paris Agreement in recognition of this brought all countries together around joint goals achieved by individual country plans. As proposed, this amendment would significantly damage the efforts of the United States to support developing countries as they pursue efforts to implement their commitments under the Paris Agreement. In addition, a wide range of U.S. climate and development programs would be impacted by this amendment, and it would seriously impede our ability to implement our obligations under the Paris Agreement. It would also prohibit the Department of State from participating in critical international climate negotiations. The climate crisis poses threats to the stability of countries, heightens social and political tensions, and adversely affects food prices and availability. This is according to our own military.…”