Political Quotes

“Mr. President, it has become sort of a personal tradition of mine to come to the floor each week to report on the status of the dangers to our Earth and climate from the relentless carbon pollution that we have to face, and this is a bellwether week. This is our first week back in session in the Senate since our break last week, and during that time we have had a first. There were reports from the atmospheric measuring station that the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere broke 400 parts per million. The Christian Science Monitor has reported on this, stating monitoring stations across the Arctic this spring are measuring more than 400 parts per million of the heat-trapping gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The number isn't quite a surprise because it has been rising at an accelerating pace. Years ago, it passed the 350 parts-per-million mark that many scientists say is the highest safe level for carbon dioxide. It now stands globally at 395. The story continues, saying it has been at least 800,000 years-- probably more--since Earth saw carbon dioxide levels in the 400s, according to the climate scientists involved. They point out that the Arctic is the leading indicator in global warming, both in carbon dioxide in the air and in its effects. Pieter Tans, a senior NOAA scientist, says this is the first time the entire Arctic has been that high.…”