Blake Moore: “I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin) so much for yielding. Madam Speaker, 12 years, we are told that we…”

“I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Levin) so much for yielding. Madam Speaker, 12 years, we are told that we have 12 years to limit the effects of climate change on our planet and ensure a better world for our children, our grandchildren, and future generations to come--12 years. I mean, it really seems like a long time, but now scientists are saying that the actions we take in the next 18 months will determine our ability to meet our climate goals by 2030. In 18 months, we will experience two more winters and another summer, each bringing with them more extreme weather and more catastrophic natural disasters. The stakes are so high. Less predictable climates produce lower crop yields, drive up the costs of healthy food; meanwhile, extreme weather events and heat waves resulting from a changing climate may worsen a growing array of public health problems like waterborne diseases, asthma, mental illness, heart disease, stroke, and more. In Wisconsin, from where I hail, we still remember the deathly chill of the polar vortex this past winter, matched only in intensity by the summer's record-setting heat, heavy downpours, and flooding. Our storm in July produced severe enough damage that several counties across Wisconsin received Federal disaster relief funding. But do you know what, Madam Speaker? Disaster funding can help rebuild communities, but it cannot prevent them from being torn apart by climate change.…”