Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today, Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13), alongside students from Napa Schools For Climate Action, announced House Resolution 1563 which formally recognizes Congress’ responsibility to restore a healthy climate for future generations.
"As the impacts of climate change continue to affect communities across the nation, it is more critical than ever that we take bold action to protect our planet and future generations," said Rep. Thompson. "This resolution sends a clear message that the Congress must prioritize climate restoration and work to ensure a sustainable future. Thank you to my colleagues and Napa Schools for Climate Action for collaborating on this resolution."
“This Resolution is an important reminder that lawmakers carry responsibility to protect future generations instead of saddling them with messes we created. Ensuring that future generations have a healthy climate should be a top priority for every member of Congress,” said Rep. Eshoo.
“As a father and a grandfather, I see the world through the eyes of the next generations of my own family and the billions of other young people who will inherit this planet from us to do extraordinary things. It is critical for us to leave them a world that is just as fertile for their own adventures and achievements. The task of delivering the gift of opportunity to our next generation falls to the leaders of today, and I'm proud to join my colleagues to recommit our chamber to this indispensable task,” said Rep. Carbajal.
“In my community of Rochester, New York, we’ve seen scorching summers, freezing winters, torrential lake effect snowfalls, and more—and unless we take action, these extreme weather events will only get worse,” said Rep. Morelle. “This resolution demonstrates our commitment the bold action and all-hands-on-deck approach required to combat the climate crisis. I’m grateful to Rep. Thompson and my colleagues who have come together to protect the future of our planet.”
“Climate Restoration is a critical factor in how we will end the climate catastrophe. If we just cut down our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by the 2030 deadline, what do we do with the existing atmospheric pollution that remains? This is where Climate Restoration comes in, as its reliable, scalable, and permanent biomimetic ways can capture existing atmospheric pollution away forever. Knowing that Climate Restoration can take us to a world of complete sustainability has been an incredible light of hope for me, alleviating my climate anxiety and motivating me to spark such an incredible project as House Resolution 1563 as President of the Napa Schools for Climate Action Organization,” said Liliana Karesh, President of Napa Schools for Climate Action.
“Reducing emissions, even if it's done quickly, is no longer enough to stop the destructive impacts underway as a result of legacy heat-trapping pollution. Restoring atmospheric CO2 to safe, pre-industrial levels is now a crucial complement to achieving net zero GHG emissions goals,” said Jim Wilson of Napa Climate NOW! “I'm very grateful for the student leaders who have persisted in calling for an end to the climate emergency, and for this Resolution that ensures them that Congress is committed to restoring a safe and healthy climate for them.”
This House resolution, written in partnership with Napa Schools For Climate Action, calls for actions to restore CO2 levels to pre-industrial levels below 300 ppm, a goal that will require removing one trillion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere over the next 20 years. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging natural carbon sequestration methods and supporting emerging technologies to help achieve this critical goal. It also is a precondition for intergenerational climate justice, as young people will suffer the worst effects of climate breakdown.