Washington, D.C. – The following statement was issued by Gwynne Taraska, Director of the Ocean Conservancy Climate Program, in response to the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis releasing their report of policy recommendations.

“Climate change is the greatest threat to our communities, ocean, and planet. Today’s release of the Congressional Action Plan from the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis is an important step toward eliminating greenhouse gas pollution and building resilience to climate impacts.

We’re particularly encouraged to see the report include ocean-based mitigation and adaptation solutions. The ocean is a source of a range of sustainable climate measures, which can and must play a key role in addressing the climate crisis.

We applaud the Committee for its work and Chair Castor for her leadership. Lawmakers must now use this policy framework as a foundation for climate legislation that will ensure a healthy future for our ocean and the communities, ecosystems, and economies that rely on it.”

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Gwynne Taraska is available for media interviews upon request.

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.