Washington, D.C. -- The Co-Chairs of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), today announced that they will join other leading members of the House and Senate at a “Wake up Congress for Climate Action Rally” on Wednesday, May 21st at 4:00 p.m. ET in G-50 Dirsken Senate Office Building.  

Just last week, the Obama Administration released the latest National Climate Assessment report, which confirmed that climate change is not a distant threat and that we are already feeling the impacts across the United States. Additionally, two new reports were released showing that the West Antarctica ice sheet has begun falling apart and its continued melting may be unstoppable, which scientists warn could ultimately lead to a rise in sea level of 10 feet or more.

 

Senators Boxer and Whitehouse said: “The devastating effects of climate change are all around us right now, and it is time for Congress to wake up. We must sound the alarm and act now to reduce carbon pollution for the sake of our health, our economy and the well-being of our children and grandchildren.”

 

Speakers will include members of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, the Bicameral Climate Change Task Force, the House Safe Climate Caucus, and the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, as well as House and Senate leadership. Participants both at the rally and across the country will be encouraged to "sound the alarm" on climate change at 5 pm ET on cell phones, tablets or hand held devices. The rally follows an all-night session in March, where 31 Senators took to the floor to “wake up” Congress on the need to act now to address the growing threat of climate change. 

WHAT:                     Wake Up Congress for Climate Action Rally

 

WHO:                         Senate Climate Action Task Force

Bicameral Climate Change Task Force

House Safe Climate Caucus

House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition

House and Senate Leadership

 

WHEN:                      Wednesday, May 21, 2014

4:00-5:15 PM ET

 

LOCATION:             Dirksen Senate Office Building G-50