It Is Time for the U.S. to Step up to the Plate and Combat Climate Change (Rep. Bart Gordon)

As the meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gets underway this week in Bali, I think it is time for the U.S. to step up to the plate and do our part in combating climate change.

World representatives including the U.S., are gathering on the Indonesian island to begin discussions on a new climate change convention to replace the Kyoto Protocol. I’m proud to note that representatives from the Science and Technology Committee – which I chair- will be on hand in Bali as observers.

In February of this year, my Committee was the first Congressional body to hear directly from the IPCC authors on their climate change findings. The Committee also hosted Vice President Gore at a hearing in March, and we continue to play a key role in Congressional efforts to combat climate change.

As we discovered first hand during Committee proceedings, the groundbreaking efforts of the IPCC over the past year has provided us with greater knowledge, tools and proof than ever before to combat this alarming climate change phenomenon.

Last month, the IPCC completed its 4th Assessment Report when governments agreed to the Summary report in Spain. Their work has provided us with substantial evidence that climate change is underway and that if we fail to take action the consequences could be very serious, especially for our children and grandchildren and their future.

By focusing on long-term, voluntary, ‘aspirational goals,’ the current Administration’s policy on climate change puts the U.S. on course to take a backseat in combating the climate crisis – and that’s not a role I’m comfortable with.

The conference in Bali is critical to the development of a cohesive world-wide response to the threat posed by climate change. It is our chance as a global community to establish a clear roadmap for future action.

The U.S. has led the world through other tough challenges. I am confident that if we apply our entrepreneurial spirit and innovative skills to this problem, we can lead the world to a solution on climate change.