Hundreds of green groups, local leaders ask Pelosi to champion climate goals

More than 700 state and local leaders, environmental groups and individuals are calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to push action on climate change.

In a letter sent Thursday morning, the group urged Pelosi to take on “an ambitious climate agenda” within the Democratic-controlled House’s first 100 days.

“This new Congress has a tremendous opportunity in its first 100 days to protect our health, economy, and position of leadership on the global stage. And you have the opportunity to address the inequality and injustice that exists in this country by investing in solutions that ensure communities bearing the worst brunt of pollution are invested in and benefit from the transition to clean energy,” the letter said.

{mosads}The letter referenced fears highlighted in last fall’s United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the National Climate Assessment, which warned that the effects of climate change could soon be irreversible and economically disastrous.

“These reports only further underscore the need to take action now.” they wrote.

The letter to Pelosi comes the same day that the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on environment and climate change is holding a hearing on how local communities and states have worked to meet the tenants of the Paris climate agreement, despite President Trump’s announcement that he will be pulling the U.S out of it.

So far, 21 governors across both parties have signed on to be part of the U.S. Climate Alliance, which commits their states to meet the Paris accord’a climate goals. Maine announced Thursday that it, too, will be joining the alliance.

Pelosi has promised to address the issue of climate change, calling it “the existential threat of our time.” At the beginning of the new Congress she established a House Select Committee on Climate Crisis.

Democratic members of the House, since taking back power this year, have also highlighted climate change as a top priority. There have been multiple hearings held across various committees investigating global warming’s effects and efforts that can be down to thwart it.

Just this week, lawmakers in the House held a hearing on climate change’s effects on the oceans, a hearing on industry’s manipulation of climate science, and the Paris climate accords.