Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley emphasize global solutions to address climate chaos

Salem, Oregon – Reiterating their dedication to global climate agreements despite past federal withdrawals, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Jeff Merkley of Oregon have co-sponsored a significant climate resolution. Joined by 20 other Senate colleagues, this group effort seeks to bring back the “We Are Still In” resolution in direct response to former President Donald Trump’s executive order on first day of office withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Given the increasingly severe storms impacting places like Oregon and the wildfires destroying sections of California, Senator Wyden underlined the immediate importance of ongoing commitment to climate and clean energy legislation.

“With increasingly severe weather consistently threatening Oregon and the wildfires now ravaging southern California, it’s clear the climate is in crisis and it’s no time to retreat on clean energy policies,” Wyden stated.

Emphasizing the major advancements in 2022 with the passage of the highest climate and clean energy investment in history, he positioned the United States as a leader in world climate policy.

Senator Merkley noted the global character of climate issues and addressed the resolution from this perspective.

“Climate chaos is a global problem, and it requires global solutions,” Senator Merkley said. “Our communities are ravaged by wildfires and smoke, hurricanes and extreme flooding – all exacerbated by climate chaos,” Merkley said.

With the rising frequency of floods, storms, and wildfires all of which are exacerbated by climate change, he highlighted the terrible results of inaction.

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The “We Are Still In” resolution supports the current projects at local, state, and regional levels in addition to underlining the need of continuous U.S. engagement in global climate efforts. The resolution recognizes the major contributions and promises from many sectors, including Tribal and nongovernmental groups, and acknowledges the large climate investments enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

By bringing back this resolution, the senators hope to highlight the general American support for the Paris climate agreement in spite of federal pullout. They also want to make sure America leads by example in properly addressing the climate issue rather than lags behind on a worldwide scene.

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This step starkly reminds every one of our country’s obligations and the pressing need for action; it places the United States alongside almost every nation in the world dedicated to the Paris Agreement, so contrastingly with the few countries not part of this worldwide effort.