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A letter to my representatives in Washington.Let us see what, and how timely the form answer gets back to me.
What are you doing about climate change? Is there any legislation or actions (like encouraging vegan diet/lifestyle, biking or mass transit) you are supporting that would help change the course of the climate change?

The following are the two (2) responses I have gotten.  #SenRonJohnson does not respond very well, I wonder why?

a response from Rep. Pocan: September 6, 2019

Mr. Brockert

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for addressing climate change. I value your opinions and appreciate you taking the time to write to me.

Like you, I recognize climate change represents one of the greatest threats to our country and our environment. Rising carbon levels in our atmosphere carry dire consequences for the future of our planet. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change showed that we must reduce carbon emissions by 45% to avoid irreversible damage by 2030. However, the Trump Administration is taking the United States in the opposite direction by withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, cutting funding for the Environmental Protection Agency, and rolling back regulations on carbon emissions.

The historic Paris Climate Agreement set the global community on a path to seriously address climate change and invest in clean, renewable energy resources. President Trump's irresponsible decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement is a huge step backwards for our country. We must do more to lead our global partners in cutting emissions and invest in green energy rather than sacrifice clean air and water to benefit large corporations.

Additionally, during these past few months, we have seen Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler attempt to repeal the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to curb the effects of climate change caused by pollution from coal-fired power plants. During Wheeler's tenure, we have also seen proposals for rolling back both Obama-era federal fuel efficiency standards, as well as air quality standards that keep Americans safe. These actions are driving our country in the wrong direction, and I am committed to ensuring that Congress takes immediate action to combat our very dire situation. I have sent numerous letters to President Trump and Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler calling out their irresponsible decisions to rollback emissions standards and block progress on cleaner cars.

During my tenure, I have been a staunch supporter of legislation and policies that aim to combat climate change. I believe one of the best ways to preserve our environment is to invest in clean energy capabilities. In Wisconsin's Second District, we have already started to take proactive steps towards increased energy efficiency. In recent years, small businesses with wind turbines and solar panels have flourished in our community. By growing the awareness for these cost-saving measures of renewable energy, our businesses will not only help our environment and the communities surrounding them, but also lower the price of clean energy in the long run.

I also cosponsor a number of bills to address climate change, including H.R.1243 the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2019, to identify and support the nation’s most vulnerable communities, while enhancing long-term research into the effects of climate change on human health, as well as H.R.9 the Climate Action Now Act, which would direct the President to keep the U.S. in the Paris Climate Accord.

Lastly, I support an idea often referred to as a Green New Deal, or H.Res 109, which recognizes the federal government's role in addressing both the financial and environmental issues caused by climate change. This plan ensures the United States is at the forefront of investments in clean energy, resource efficiency, green jobs creation, and environmental justice.

Please know, I have consistently supported legislation to addresses climate change and worked to close loopholes which allow corporations to pollute our environment without facing any consequences. As a member of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus and the House Safe Climate Caucus, rest assured that I will continue to advocate for policies that protect our environment and promote the development of sustainable, clean, and renewable energy.


A response from Sen. Baldwin (#SenRonJohnson your turn) 14 September 2019

Dear Mr. Brockert:

Thank you for contacting me to share your support for action on climate change. I am glad to hear from you on this critical issue for our state, country and world.

I believe that climate change is real, and we must act now to confront this threat to our national security, public health and our economy. The longer we fail to act, the more costly climate change will be. We must take bold action now. Two reports published this fall once again sounded the alarm on the consequences of climate change. One report was published by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and one, called the National Climate Assessment (NCA), was published by a collection of 13 U.S. government agencies. The reports reflected a scientific consensus that avoiding catastrophic climate change impacts will require immediate action to reduce emissions. You can access a copy of the IPCC report here: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ and a copy of the NCA here: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/.

The National Climate Assessment found that the U.S. economy will lose over $500 billion annually from lost labor, crop failure, and damage related to extreme weather if we continue on our current course. Wisconsin will feel these impacts as climate change threatens the drivers of our economy. For example, Wisconsin will experience more frequent flooding from extreme weather events, devastating local infrastructure. Our state’s coastal communities will suffer the effects of poor water quality and harmful algal blooms. Finally, our farmers will face crop and animal losses from extreme cold, heat waves, drought, and flooding unless we take action.

While the problem of climate change is immense, Wisconsin has a history of rising to meet great challenges. I am encouraged by proposals like the Green New Deal that are spurring momentum and inspiring people of all ages to get engaged and press for climate action at the local, state and federal level. I applaud their leadership and vision. The Green New Deal is an aspirational plan, and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced a Senate resolution (S. Res.59) that identifies a variety of ways to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. Senate resolutions like this one are largely symbolic and, unlike bills or amendments, they are not signed into law and do not require changes in federal policy.

In response to Senator Markey’s resolution, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) authored his own version of the Green New Deal (S.J.Res.8) and held a vote on his legislation in order to play a partisan political game. Senator McConnell voted against a procedural motion to consider his legislation, and the vote failed 0-57 with many Senators voting “present.” I voted “present” on the resolution as a protest to these political games. Instead of using the grassroots energy and enthusiasm that inspired the Green New Deal to fuel partisanship, I believe Senators should work together in a bipartisan manner to consider bold legislation to tackle this extremely urgent threat.

Disappointingly, the current Senate leadership and President Trump have failed to take meaningful action to combat climate change and have actually rolled back climate change reforms taken by the Obama Administration. This includes the Clean Power Plan, which aimed to cut carbon pollution from power plants across the United States. I supported this groundbreaking action because it presented Wisconsin with an opportunity to develop cleaner energy sources and create clean energy jobs. Moving forward, I will work with my colleagues to urge the Senate to take action on bold legislation that enacts policies that will meaningfully reduce our carbon emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of climate change. I look forward to doing so as a member of the Senate Democrats' Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, a committee that will investigate the consequences of climate change and offer solutions to address this threat.

Our Made in Wisconsin economy has a major role to play in addressing climate change, as Wisconsin workers produce parts used in solar panels, wind turbines and other clean energy technologies. We are also home to companies that are leading innovators in energy efficiency, control systems that improve the security and efficiency of the electric grid, researchers working on the next generation of biofuels and battery storage, and electric distribution systems that are already making bold investments in clean energy technologies. I will continue to work on a bipartisan basis to help expand the American clean energy and energy efficiency industries. This can reduce our dependency on foreign oil, mitigate the effects of climate change, and create good-paying jobs in Wisconsin.

Once again, thank you for contacting my office. It is important for me to hear from the people of Wisconsin on the issues, thoughts and concerns that matter most to you. If I can be of further assistance, please visit my website at www.baldwin.senate.gov for information on how to contact my office.
Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin
United States Senator


https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/?fbclid=IwAR063S71GCShOHq7Kaqwa-3cmALj4S77N1xRPbEKhsjo9rjHSbHR-y4i-a8

Global Warming of 1.5 ºC —
ipcc.ch
Global Warming of 1.5 ºC —
Global Warming of 1.5 ºC —

 

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