Chris Coons: “I come to the floor this evening inspired by the determined efforts of my colleague Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.…”

“I come to the floor this evening inspired by the determined efforts of my colleague Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. My colleague has made clear, by delivering his 200th floor speech on climate change, that he is committed to raising awareness about and urging action on this very real threat to our environment. Let me speak briefly as someone trained in science as a chemist. I am troubled that time and again I am called to this Chamber to defend and advocate for science. We live in a time of unprecedented scientific advances. Throughout our history, we have turned to science to help us solve both domestic and international crises. Science was there, for example, to do battle against the Ebola outbreak, threats from hurricanes and other natural disasters, and the dangers of cigarette smoke and lead exposure. It was scientists who helped find a cure, provide early warning, who educated us, and who influenced politics to lead to policies that led to stronger industry and consumer safety standards in facing all of these threats. The scientific method has saved lives and ensured our survival, so why don't we more widely embrace the science of prediction, mitigation, and adaptation to the effects of climate change? Climate change is real. We know climate change is already happening, although it is slow, gradual, and often hard to perceive.…”