Q&A: Sen. Boxer on climate change, California drought

[n2doc]

Here are the questions and the senator's responses, which were provided to The Desert Sun by the Environment and Public Works Committee:

The Desert Sun: California has seen its hottest temperatures on record during the first six months of 2014. The hotter temperatures are exacerbating the drought, and the drought is also contributing to the hotter temperatures. What does the Senator think is important for people to understand about the influence of climate change during this time of drought?

Boxer: As far back as 1995, climate scientists have predicted that increasing global temperatures would lead to more severe droughts in some regions of the world. We know that climate change is linked to the type of intense, record-breaking droughts that we are experiencing in California. The bottom line is that the impacts of climate change are real and are happening all around us, but it is not too late to do something about it.

We can change course by reducing carbon pollution which causes climate change, and I support President Obama's efforts to do just that. A key part of the President's Climate Action Plan is using the Clean Air Act authorities to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. Power plants are our biggest source of carbon pollution. This is a critical step forward in the effort to address climate change. And as Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am continuing the fight to protect our landmark environmental laws, including preserving the Clean Air Act. It is most unfortunate that such laws are under constant attack by polluters and their supporters in Congress.

more

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2014/08/10/senator-barbara-boxer-california-drought-climate-change/13862921/

[bananas]

1. k&r for Boxer, one of our best senators. n't