Sen. King: Climate impacts on Arctic are ‘canary in coal mine’

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) on Wednesday urged the Senate panel on energy to weigh the impacts climate change is having on the Arctic.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee plans to hold a hearing on the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council, which the nation will take over later this year.

In a letter to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairwoman of the committee, and ranking member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), King said climate change impacts on the region must be discussed. 

“As our climate has changed, no region has been impacted as significantly as the Arctic — the changing Arctic is a canary in the coal mine for our planet,” King said.

“As we assume the leadership of the Arctic Council, it is imperative that the United States develop a robust strategy for responding to changes in the Arctic.”

King also said the committee should examine security interests, long-term infrastructure needs, and the impact on people of the Arctic during the hearing.