Skip to main content

Congressman Garamendi Highlights UC Davis Efforts to Combat Climate Change, Promote Clean Energy

June 26, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC— Rep. John Garamendi of California’s Third District, a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, spoke on the House floor yesterday to highlight work by America’s Universities, and University of California Davis in particular, to develop clean energy technologies and limit the effects of climate change. The Safe Climate Caucus is a group of Democratic members who are highlighting the need for action on climate change through daily floor speeches and other activities. Click here to watch Rep. Garamendi’s speech. Below are Rep. Garamendi’s remarks:

During 2013, this year, we’ll have another record year for climate problems. Deadly flooding, super storms, droughts, and impacts on sensitive species are just a sampling of the dire consequences that climate change is already bringing to America, and the rest of the world.
In my district, home to UC Davis, vitally important research is already being carried out to rise to the challenge of climate change. This research ranges from how changes in our climate are going to negatively impact agriculture and native California fish flora and fauna, and what we can do about it.
Just this month, Dr. Daniel Sperling of the University of California Davis Institute of Transportation Studies was one of two recipients of the 2013 Blue Planet Prize for his monumental work in clean transportation, hydrogen fuel infrastructure, and research on how we can achieve 100% renewable energy economy for the globe, and for America.
The expansion of the clean energy sector would also play a large role in what we will fundamentally discuss here today which is creating jobs and spurring economic growth.
Recent research indicates that the revenue generated from clean energy globally within the next 5 years will create $1.9 trillion of revenue. Studies also show that states with larger green energy sectors are much more economically sound post-recession. We are on the right track – last year, California lead the national record for most jobs created in the green energy sector with over 26,000 new jobs being created.
It’s evident that we have the building blocks in place to make the changes that are needed for our future, especially in my home state of California. As Dr. Sperling said, “Solutions are all around us,” and indeed they are.