Samuels writes: "Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday called a governmental report on climate change that paints a bleak picture of its effects on the U.S. moving forward 'very alarming,' and slammed the Trump administration for what he called its refusal to address the issue."
Senator Bernie Sanders. (photo: Greg Nash/Getty Images)
27 November 18
en. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday called a governmental report on climate change that paints a bleak picture of its effects on the U.S. moving forward "very alarming," and slammed the Trump administration for what he called its refusal to address the issue.
"What Congress has got to do is take Trump on, take the fossil fuel industry on and transform our system to sustainable energy," Sanders said on CBS's "Face the Nation."
"When we do that, we are going to lead the world in saving the planet, and we are going to create millions of decent paying jobs," he continued.
"This is a very alarming report and we’ve got to wake up and address these issues," Sanders continued.
.@SenSanders talks climate change: It is very clear that we have got to bring our people together to address this terribly important issue. And it is amazing to me that we have an administration right now that still considers our climate change to be a hoax. pic.twitter.com/c3oUOCe3QF
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) November 25, 2018
The congressionally-mandated report, which was released on Black Friday, found that climate change has led to an increase in temperature and a rise in sea levels. It warned that its effects will lead to more intense wildfires, floods and other disasters if left unchecked.
The report additionally warns that taking certain measures to address climate change could shrink the U.S. economy.
The Vermont senator argued that the scientific community has been unwavering in its findings on the reality of climate change, even as President Trump and members of his administration cast doubt on the issue.
"It is amazing to me that we have an administration right now that still considers climate change to be a hoax. Who is not sure about whether it is man made," Sanders said.
"But this is not an issue where we can debate," he added. "The reality is real, the scientific community has made it 100 percent clear that this is a major crisis."
Sanders and other progressive lawmakers have pushed for the U.S. to end its reliance on fossil fuels and take other steps to protect the environment. Rep-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has supported a "Green New Deal," which consists of ambitious goals like getting 100 percent of the nation’s electricity from renewable energy sources.
