Momentum For Climate Action Picks Up Steam In The Nation’s Capital

Momentum for comprehensive climate legislation is mounting in Washington, DC. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he wants to introduce a bill to tackle global warming by the end of this summer.

In an interview, Sen. Reid told the AP that he expects the Senate to take up an energy bill in the next two weeks and hopefully to deal with global warming late this summer. Reid says he is convinced that many senators want to move on the climate change issue this year.

In a similar move toward global warming solutions, the Environmental Protection Agency is expected for the first time to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change pollution. The decision reopens the possibility of regulating carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants for the first time, The Washington Post reports.

The Teaming With Wildlife coalition will descend on Capitol Hill this week to urge legislators to pass a comprehensive climate bill. Teaming With Wildlife members from across the country will get a chance to speak with members of Congress about the importance of healthy natural resources, and the necessity of helping wildlife habitats and natural systems deal with the effects of climate change.  Researchers and land managers warn that global warming is already having serious threats, and local and regional action is essential to safeguard these resources.  

Also this week, more than 100 advocates from the Great Lakes region will be in Washington, DC to speak to their elected officials about the importance of restoring the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes are plagued by rising water temperatures, reduced ice cover in winter and lower lake level in summer, and the increased assault of invasive species on wetlands driven by global warming. The Great Lakes need investment from climate legislation to help buffer this unique and important natural system against the impacts of global warming.  

Advocates will be going to Capitol Hill this week to ask members of Congress to enact strong cap-and-invest legislation that directs a portion of the revenue climate funds to Great Lakes restoration.