Sen. Sanders: “On Climate Change, We Have A Moral Responsibility To Act Boldly.” [Des Moines Register, 7/7/15] Sen. Sanders: Action Against Climate Change Is Necessary. In June 2015, Sen. Sanders tweeted, “The scientific community has been extremely clear. We must take bold action to address climate change.” [Twitter, 6/28/15] Sen. Sanders: The Pope’s Statements on Climate Change Will Make A Profound Difference, And The Republican’s Denial Of It Is Embarrassing. On HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher, Sen. Sanders criticized Republicans saying, “One of the embarrassments that goes on in this country today is that we have a major political party called the Republican Party that is rejecting what the overwhelming majority of scientists are saying. That is, of course, climate change is real and caused by human activity.” He also praised the Pope’s recent encyclical on needing to combat climate change calling the Pope “a miracle for humanity.” “He makes me very conservative on economic issues and that he spoke on climate change in as forceful a manner as he did is just extraordinary…I think the fact that the Pope has spoken out will have a profound impact all over this world.” [Real Time with Bill Maher, 6/19/15] Sen. Sanders: Climate Change Is A Planetary Crisis; Scientific Debate Is Over, And Human Activities, Like Fossil Fuel Consumption, Are “Already Causing Devastating Problems.” During Sen. Sanders’ campaign announcement speech, he said, “This country faces more serious problems today than at any time since the Great Depression and, if you include the planetary crisis of climate change, it may well be that the challenges we face now are direr than any time in our modern history … The debate is over. The scientific community has spoken in a virtually unanimous voice. Climate change is real. It is caused by human activity and it is already causing devastating problems in the United States and around the world. The scientists are telling us that if we do not boldly transform our energy system away from fossil fuels and into energy efficiency and sustainable energies, this planet could be five to ten degrees Fahrenheit warmer by the end of this century. This is catastrophic. It will mean more drought, more famine, more rising sea level, more floods, more ocean acidification, more extreme weather disturbances, more disease and more human suffering. We must not, we cannot, and we will not allow that to happen.” [Sen. Sanders Campaign Announcement, 5/26/15] Sen. Sanders Sponsored Legislation Acknowledging The Reality Of Climate Change, And Calling On Congress To Act To Cut Carbon Pollution. In March 2015, Sen. Sanders offered an amendment to a budget bill which would acknowledge the reality of climate change and call on Congress to take action to cut carbon pollution. The amendment was rejected 49-50. [SA 777 to S Con Res 11, Vote 89, 3/25/15; LCV 2015 Votes, Vote 89] 12