WASHINGTON, D.C. – The following statement was issued by Anna-Marie Laura, Director of Climate Policy at Ocean Conservancy, in response to the opportunity for Congressional action on climate change collapsing:

“On the heels of the Supreme Court decision severely curtailing the government’s ability to regulate climate pollution, it appears Congress has now abdicated their responsibility to address the climate crisis and protect the lives and livelihoods of everyone in the U.S. Every member of Congress who stalled or rejected taking action on climate in legislation or spending packages is directly responsible for accelerating the devastating effects of climate change that will upend lives, destroy communities and hinder the economic growth of sustainable industries in the U.S.

“This latest dereliction of duty will also spell disaster for our ocean as temperatures, sea levels, flooding, and rates of acidification continue to rise and ice continues to melt. Coastal communities, and particularly historically marginalized communities, will suffer these impacts the most, but everyone in the U.S. and around the world relies on the ocean to provide a livable climate as well as a vital source of food and trade. As a major emitter it is the responsibility of the U.S. to act and prevent the worst impacts of climate change being imposed on the communities and nations that have contributed the least. President Biden should not wait any longer to use all the tools at his disposal to advance climate action that will protect our ocean and communities.”  

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Anna-Marie Laura is available for interviews upon request.

NOTES TO EDITOR:

• On World Ocean Day, President Biden committed to developing America’s first Ocean-Climate Action Plan. Such a plan can ensure mitigation and adaptation benefits are maximized to reduce emissions and increase resilience while providing jobs, protecting vulnerable communities, and safeguarding our natural resources. Ocean Conservancy along with over 90 other organizations and businesses nationwide collaboratively developed a Blueprint for Ocean Climate Action to inform the development of the administration’s plan.

About Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-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.