releases: http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3339
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| http://franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3339 | In Senate Speech, Sen. Franken Praises Momentous International Climate Change Agreement | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Al Franken | F000457 | franken.senate.gov | legacy | In a speech delivered today on the Senate floor, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.)applauded the recent international agreement that aims to combat the causes of climate change. Sen. Franken, who was among a group of 10 Senators representing the U.S. at the summit, said the international move toward clean energy will open up new opportunities for the nation and for Minnesota, which is already a leader in renewable energy production.You can download video of his speech by clicking here."This past Saturday, 196 countries came together and agreed to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, taking a very important step in the fight against climate change," said Sen. Franken. "This historic agreement is a recognition that we cannot afford to ignore the negative impacts of climate change. And that we must work together, globally, to put the planet on a safer path forward.""But our job is not done," Sen. Franken continued. "The agreement in Paris puts the planet on a safer trajectory than the one we have been on. But we have to remain vigilant and build on that success. Internationally, we have to hold other nations accountable, ensure that they commit to stronger emission reduction targets over time, and to make sure that those reductions are transparent and verifiable. Domestically, we have to build on the success of our cities and states, and we have to work to make sure that the Clean Power Plan and other emission reduction policies are effective. As a member of the Senate Energy Committee, I intend to do just that."Working to address climate change has been one of Sen. Franken's top prioritiessince joining the Senate. He has fought to reduce carbon emissions and transition our economy to renewable, homegrown sources of energy.You can read a copy of his prepared remarks below: Floor Statement on Paris Climate NegotiationsSenator Al Franken(as prepared for delivery) M. President, I rise today to celebrate the successful climate negotiations that just wrapped up in Paris.This past Saturday, 196 countries came together and agreed to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, taking a very important step in the fight against climate change. This historic agreement is a recognition that we cannot afford to ignore the negative impacts of climate change. And that we must work together, globally, to put the planet on a safer path forward.The agreement does not simply take countries at their word, but requires transparent measurement and verification to ensure they live up to their promises. And crucially, the deal requires countries to revisit their emission reduction targets every five years. That way, countries can factor in new technologies and new policies in order to keep warming to under 2 degrees Celsius.M. President, this truly historic deal has been nearly 25 years in the making. International climate efforts date back to 1992, when governments around the world met in Rio with the objective of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations. Nations have met every year since to further this goal. And while some meetings have been more successful than others, most have been met with disappointment and lack of action. After all, climate change is a complex issue. And bringing about consensus action for any international issue is no small feat. Which is why this agreement is truly, truly impressive.Two weeks ago, I traveled to Paris with 9 of my colleagues. We met with the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, with U.S. Energy Secretary, Ernest Moniz, and with our top climate change negotiator, Todd Stern. I would like to congratulate all of them for their work.Part of the purpose of our trip was to demonstrate to the world that there is a strong coalition in the United States Congress that supports the President's efforts on climate change. A message we conveyed to other nations, including Bangladesha country that has contributed little to industrial air pollution but is one of the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. It is estimated that unless we act, rising sea levels will inundate some 17 percent of Bangladesh, displacing about 18 million people in this low-lying nation. They will be uprooted and turned into climate refugees without a home.But of course, climate change isn't something that will just impact Bangladesh and other low-lying nations. It is already impacting us right here at home.While we cannot attribute any single extreme weather event to climate change, M. President, we do know that climate change impacts the frequency, duration, and severity of extreme weather events. Just look at the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. The storm surges caused by Sandy along the Eastern Seaboard were more damaging because of climate-induced sea level rise. And may I remind you that the damage caused by Sandy cost tax payers 60 billion dollars. We are also seeing longer wildfire seasonswildfires that are burning hotter and are more intense. The Forest Service is spending more and more fighting these firesnow more than half of its entire budget. And we are seeing more intense droughts. And unless we act, these droughts will have a major impact on food security around the world.That's why I recently penned an op-ed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune with Dave MacLennan, the CEO of Cargillthe nation's largest privately held corporation. As the CEO of a company focused on agriculture, Dave is concerned about what climate change is going to do to our food supplyin a world that is expected to go from 7 billion to 9.5 billion inhabitants by midcentury.And that's why Cargill called for a strong outcome at the global climate negotiations. So you can see that Cargill has a strong business case to make on why we have to deal with climate change. But of course that business case isn't just limited to our agriculture sector. Addressing climate change presents a tremendous opportunity to transform our energy sector.M. President, for the very first time just this last week, Beijing issued its most severe warning to alert citizens of intense smog and local air pollution levels. Officials ordered half of the city's private vehicles to stay off the road, halted all operation at outdoor construction sites, and advised schools to temporarily close their doors. Citizens were encouraged to limit outdoor activities and recommended to wear a mask when outside.China is choking on its own fumes from fossil fuels. And as China and others recognize that they have to race toward clean energy, I want to make sure that our nation leads that race. I want to make sure our star-ups are innovating tomorrow's solutions and that our companies are the ones developing and deploying clean energy technologies around the world. Again, I want to reiterate, that addressing climate change head-on would not only help mitigate unprecedented damage to our economy, but spur growth and innovation in a world that is hungry for advancements in clean energy.My state of Minnesota recognized this opportunity in 2007 when it established a renewable energy standard, and an energy efficiency standard. These kinds of policies send a strong signal to the private sector to develop and deploy clean energy solutions. And major investors are catching on to the opportunities. Just this month, Bill Gates launched the Breakthrough Energy Coalition to develop transformative energy solutions. The Coalition of nearly 30 billionaires from 10 different countries will invest in early stage energy companies to help them bridge the gap between government-funded lab research and the marketplace. According to Gates, and I quote, the "primary goal with the Coalition is as much to accelerate progress on clean energy as it is to make a profit." And to back up this statement, Gates alone plans to invest $1 billion in clean energy in the next five years.So you can see how, M. President, that the very serious threat of climate change presents a "Sputnik moment" for our nationan opportunity to rise to the challenge and defeat that threat. In response to Sputnik, we ended up not just winning the Space Race and sending a man to the moon, we did all sorts of great things for the American economy and society.We did it once, and we can do that again. By rising to the challenge of climate change, we will not just clean up our air, but also drive innovation and create jobsand not only in the clean energy sector.The Obama Administration deserves a lot of credit for its leadership on climate change. Our domestic commitment through the Clean Power Planwhich builds on the work of my state and othershas established a federal plan for reducing emissions. This important policy has provided American innovators and businesses the confidence to take on new risks and drive new technologies forward. After dragging our feet for so many years, I am proud that the United States is acting domestically, and leading internationally.But our job is not done. The agreement in Paris puts the planet on a safer trajectory than the one we have been on. But we have to remain vigilant and build on that success. Internationally, we have to hold other nations accountable, ensure that they commit to stronger emission reduction targets over time, and to make sure that those reductions are transparent and verifiable. Domestically, we have to build on the success of our cities and states, and we have to work to make sure that the Clean Power Plan and other emission reduction policies are effective. As a member of the Senate Energy Committee, I intend to do just that.Two years ago, M. President, my first grandchild was born, and I am expecting my second grandchild in January. God willing, they will live through this century and into the next. And I want them to know that when we had the opportunity to put earth on a safer path, that we seized the moment. So let's celebrate this agreement because it is an important milestone. And let's build on it to make the planet a safer and more habitable place for our grandchildren.Thank you, M. President. I yield the floor. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |