Congressman Jared Huffman Says Now is the Time for People to Vote for Candidates that Will help Prevent and Reverse Climate Change

By Julian Brastow

Today, global climate change is a huge threat to our world’s future, and will continue to result in global disasters until we do something about it. Earthscope’s recent meeting and interview with Congressman Jared Huffman revealed what needs to happen at a political level to reduce the effects of climate change.

The visit consisted of the Earthscope Media interns crowded into Huffman’s office asking researched questions on current environmental issues. Despite having a broken ankle, Huffman had the time to thoroughly answer these questions and express his important opinions on topics ranging from water sustainability and alternative energy sources, to his concern over the toxic algae blooms occurring off the California Coast.

One thing that stood out to me during the interview was what he said about climate change and politics. While talking about climate change and what we need to do about it, he stated that because most Americans believe climate change is happening, Congress needs to start creating laws that will help fight it. But the reality is that the Republican majority in Congress is preventing these bills from taking shape, and right now the only action that’s being taken at the federal level is coming from President Obama, which is not nearly enough response that needs to happen, since the President has limited authority to make these needed changes. Huffman also indicated that an important committee comprised of Republicans and Business Leaders, that should be involved in addressing and reversing climate change, is instead meeting in order to seek ways to gain profit by taking advantage of resources that are becoming available in the Arctic due to melting ice caps.

Upon further research, I also discovered that 59% of Republican voters believe global climate change is occurring, but only 44% of Republicans in Congress believe this. This political misrepresentation must be addressed, and it is only when we have politicians willing and able to make the changes to protect the planet and our environment, will we be able to solve climate change.

Huffman’s main point was that in the end, to do something about climate change, we must elect politicians that will take action  and tip the balance of Congress to represent the opinion of the people. Only then will we be able to pass laws in order to help effectively protect our earth.

Reference:

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/03/08/3757435/climate-denier-caucus-114th-new-research/