Tell Congress to Act on Climate Change
Twelve of the hottest 13 years on record have occurred since 2000. This May, global temperatures were the third hottest on record. Glaciers are melting across the planet. Alaska is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures in the 80s and 90s -- almost unheard of for June. Extreme weather events are increasing -- in 2012, the United States endured 11 extreme climate- and weather-related events that each caused more than $1 billion in damage.
We can do something about climate change. We can demand action from Members of Congress. Now is the time to let our lawmakers know loud and clear that we want action.
Dear Member of Congress, I strongly support efforts to reduce industrial carbon pollution from power plants, while at the same time pursuing renewable energy and energy efficiency. We must take these critical steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are causing dangerous climate change. Already, climate change is producing extreme weather, which is destroying life and property across the country. Last year, Hurricane Sandy left 131 dead, demolished 380,000 homes, and created a storm surge that broke the all-time record in New York Harbor. Wildfires in the U.S. were the largest on record; they destroyed hundreds of homes and millions of acres of land. In 2012, more than 40,000 daily heat records were broken around the country, causing heat-related deaths to rise dramatically. Disease transmitted by food, water and insects are becoming more widespread. Inaction is costing lives and billions of dollars. These problems will only get worse if nothing is done. Leading climate scientists agree that we need to reduce carbon dioxide, methane and other carbon pollution by 80% by 2050 in order to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. We must act so that we have a planet that supports life for generations to come. Poll after poll shows that a majority of Americans want climate action now. I urge Congress to take strong and swift steps to significantly reduce carbon pollution.
