Church World Service and its 37 member community extend congratulations and appreciation to Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham (SC) for introducing – S.Amdt. 3864 – an amendment on climate change to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, H.R.2028 to the Senate last Friday.
“We have been waiting a long time for members of Congress to show strong, moral leadership on this critical humanitarian and development issue,” said Rev. John L. McCullough, CEO and President of Church World Service. “We have been watchful and prayerful. Senator Graham’s amendment – whether or not it wins support of a Senate majority during this election year — is a welcome step in the right direction. Without the support of Congress, the United States Government will not be able to take its rightful place as a global leader on climate. It is all the more significant that Sen. Graham has taken this proactive step as so much of the current political debate still questions whether Climate Change is real.”
This critical amendment states that climate change is real, is caused by human activity, is already affecting the people of the United States and poses a threat to the health, security, economy and infrastructure of the country. Recognizing that more than 180 countries have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it calls on the United States to be a world leader in addressing Climate Change and on the US Congress to enact policies capable of leaving future generations with a safer, cleaner world. Such policies should include emissions reduction as well as research and development to support cleaner energy.
Senator Graham was joined by several other Senators of both political parties, whose moral conviction and leadership are also welcomed by Church World Service.