WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, today reacted to reports on the latest United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, to be released tomorrow.

Chairman Markey said, “In their February report, the world’s top scientists provided a scientific smoking gun that human activities were unequivocally responsible for global warming. Now they are telling us what happens when the bullet hits. This report reinforces what the public already senses: that global warming is real and we are experiencing its effects now. Congress must take action to avoid the catastrophes that a hotter world would bring.”

The new report details effects the world is already experiencing from global warming, like shifts in weather patterns, changes in ecosystems on land and at sea, species extinctions, and the vulnerability of water supplies dependent on shrinking glaciers, and predicts that global warming will have a significant impact on global affairs in this century. The report also predicts an increase of health consequences due to an increase in heat waves, floods, storms, fires and droughts. Furthermore, the report warns that the world's poorest communities are likely to feel the biggest effects from changes driven by global warming.

“This scientific report also highlights our moral obligation to take immediate action to limit the impact of global warming.  If temperature changes accelerate at a pace unprecedented in our history, the ability of the world to adapt will be sorely tested and those who lack wealth and technology may perish in very large numbers.  The poorest people in the world, and our children and grandchildren, are the least responsible for global warming but they will suffer the greatest consequences,” continued Chairman Markey. “This Congress must rise to the challenge of transitioning from energy sources that threaten the planet and preparing for the damage we can no longer avoid. Our economic, environmental and national security depends on it.”