WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s announcement that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare:Â
"Today's announcement must serve as wake up call to anyone still left in Congress who doubts the urgent need to address global climate change. The science is screaming at us, and it's time for Congress to act. I applaud the EPA for conducting an open, comprehensive review of these critical environmental issues and look forward to working with my colleagues and the administration to enact a strong response to one of the most serious threats facing our nation and the world. Congress must seize the opportunity to swiftly pass a strong, comprehensive climate bill that enables America to lead the world by example."
Last year, Senator Kerry attended the 14th Conference of the Parties in Poznan, Poland, to help lay the groundwork for the December 2009 meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. Kerry's first substantive hearing as the newly named Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee addressed the global economic and security threats of climate change.