Will be joined at New England Aquarium by leaders in commercial fishing, climate change impacts, renewable energy industries

MEDFORD, MA – Sea levels have been rising for the past half century along the New England coast at a rate 3-4 times higher than the global average. New England lobstermen are contending with historically low prices for their catch resulting from an oversupply of lobsters due in part to warming coastal waters. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress and their Presidential candidate deny the science of climate change and block solutions, like American-made wind and solar energy, from being deployed and creating jobs. The impacts of climate change on New England’s economy and environment can be seen and felt today. Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Malden) will host a press conference connecting the dots between recent extreme weather, the impacts of climate change and the economic benefits of clean energy solutions. Rep. Markey will call on Mitt Romney and the GOP to stop their opposition to climate solutions, including extension of a key tax credit for wind energy production, and work to reduce the carbon pollution harming New England and the entire planet.
 
WHAT: Press conference highlighting devastating impacts of climate change on New England

WHO: Rep. Markey (D-Malden), top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee and dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation
-    Dr. Ellen M. Douglas, Professor, University of Massachusetts, Boston
-    Randy Kupferberg, Chief Operating Officer, Mass Tank
-    Bud Ris, Chief Executive Officer, New England Aquarium
-    Representative from fishing industry
 
WHEN: Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 1:30 PM

WHERE: New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston

###