Schneider Calls for Declaration of Climate Crisis as National Emergency

Today, U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) announced his support for a new resolution to declare the climate crisis an emergency which demands action to halt, reverse, and address its consequences and causes.

"Global climate change is affecting the health of our planet and threatening the future we pass to our children. Protecting our environment, economy, security, infrastructure, and public health, requires urgent action now," said Schneider. "I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution because recognizing climate change as a national emergency is a fundamental step to effectively responding to the scale of the challenge, and to speeding the investments in clean energy jobs and the transition to renewable sources of energy necessary to prevent catastrophic impacts across our nation and world. It is long past time we treat climate change like the emergency it is."

H.CON.RES.52 was introduced in the House by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Full text of the legislation is available online.

Previous Actions by Schneider on Climate:

Gained 182 Co-Sponsors for Resolution Disapproving of Paris Agreement Withdrawal. Wrote and introduced a resolution (H.Res 390) disapproving of President Trump's announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and commending states, cities, and localities that have committed to upholding the emission reduction targets. Resolution is co-sponsored by 182 Members of Congress. More information.

Introduced Legislation to Prevent Anti-Environment Executive Order. Wrote and introduced the Congressional Leadership in Mitigating Administration Threats to the Earth (CLIMATE) Act (H.R. 1812) to prevent enforcement of President Trump's March 28, 2017 executive order, which sought to roll back the Clean Power Plan, weaken restrictions on methane emissions, and expand coal mining on federal lands. More information.

Introduced Legislation to Prepare for Health Impacts of Climate Change. Introduced the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act that would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a National Strategic Action Plan to assist health professionals in preparing for and responding to the public health effects of climate change. More information.

Introduced Legislation to Highlight Danger of Withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement. Introduced the Produce All Relevant Information to Safeguard (P.A.R.I.S.) Climate Act with Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-VA) to coincide with the United Nations Katowice Climate Change Conference (COP 24) in Poland in December 2018. The bill makes clear Congress is concerned about consequences of climate inaction outlined in the National Climate Assessment. This legislation would also require the Secretary of State to regularly publish a public assessment that highlights the damaging consequences of the Trump Administration's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. More information.