Global climate change presents one of the gravest threats to our planet’s health, and to America’s economy, national security, and public health. Landmark studies such as the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report and the U.S. National Climate Assessment Fourth Report have made it clear that we need bold action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, and we may have as few as 12 years to achieve it.

Senator Markey is a national leader on energy, the environment, and climate change and has authored legislation that address the energy, economic and national security challenges associated with increasing carbon pollution. In 2009, then-Rep. Markey partnered with Rep. Henry Waxman to introduce the landmark Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act, the only comprehensive climate change bill ever to pass a chamber of Congress. The legislation slashed global warming emissions 17 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050. Markey authored the renewable electricity standard in the bill that said by 2020, 20 percent of America’s electricity should come from renewable sources. 

In February 2019, Senator Markey partnered with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to introduce the Green New Deal, an historic resolution that would create millions of good, high-wage jobs in the United States, provide unprecedented levels of prosperity and economic security for Americans, and counteract systemic injustices – all while addressing the existential challenge of climate change.

Senator Markey is Chair of the Senate Climate Change Task Force. Throughout the first session of the 116th Congress, the Task Force held 31 Member-level meetings to build political momentum in the U.S. Senate on climate action. From 2007-2010, Markey served as Chair of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.