Congresswoman Stansbury’s Statement on IPCC Report

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), a member of the House Committees on Natural Resources and Science, Space, and Technology issued the following statement on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report on climate resilience and adaptation that warns of widespread and catastrophic impacts:

“Today’s IPCC report makes it clear: climate change is the single largest threat to humanity’s future if we do not act now. The science presented in this report is conclusive and demonstrates that climate change is already here and impacting communities across the planet. Extreme weather events, drought, fire, and increased temperatures and system change are already impacting global economies, infrastructure, food and water security, and the health and well-being of our communities. This report is a serious call to action—that we must act now to prevent our planet from crossing a critical tipping point that will have devastating and far-reaching implications for communities across the globe. We must aggressively address our carbon footprint and cut carbon emissions, ensure our communities have the tools and resources to respond to the change that is already here, and chart a path to a more sustainable future. We know we have the scientific, policy, and economic tools to do so—the question is whether our country, and specifically Congress, has the courage to act.

“We cannot afford to wait. In New Mexico, our communities are already experiencing the most extreme drought they’ve seen in 1,200 years. While our communities are strong and resilient and have lived on these lands for countless generations, the changes we are experiencing are unlike anything we have ever seen before. That is why we must meet this moment by passing the critical investments included in the Build Back Better Act, which would make the largest investments in climate action ever in our nation’s history. The time is now. We must act before it’s too late—and mobilize every sector of our society and economy to respond to this global challenge.”