McCarthy: WH report a ‘clear indication’ of current climate impacts

Environmental Protection Agency chief Gina McCarthy said the White House’s Tuesday climate change report shows indisputably that the United States is feeling widespread effects of climate change and the Obama administration’s environmental policies could help.

“This is a clear indication that we’re already, today, facing the impacts of climate,” McCarthy said on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” “It’s not just about future projections anymore.”

{mosads}Earlier Tuesday on MSNBC, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said there is little reason for U.S. policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, since the rest of the world does not have to follow suit.

McCarthy rejected that logic.

“Global action is necessary, but the U.S. can and should step up,” she said. “There are actions we can take that are very consistent with keeping us competitive in a global marketplace.”

Obama’s climate change plan calls for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, resiliency actions to prepare for climate change effects that cannot be avoided and working toward global cooperation on the goals. 

McCarthy said Obama’s goal is to “really take action on climate now.”