IV

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 157

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the effects of global warminginduced climate disruption on the Pacific nations that are allies of

the United States and the resulting threat to the global interests of

the United States.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 24, 1997

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on Internaional Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the effects

of global warming-induced climate disruption on the Pacific nations that are allies of the United States and

the resulting threat to the global interests of the United

States.

Whereas the world’s leading climate experts who comprise the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (hereafter in

this preamble referred to as the ‘‘IPCC’’) have reported

that ‘‘the balance of evidence suggests a discernible

human influence on global climate’’;

Whereas the IPCC has concluded that the effects of global

climatic disruption due to increased greenhouse gas emissions could result in (1) a global temperature increase of

1.8 to 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit by the year 2100; (2) a
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rise in sea level of 6 inches to 3 feet by the year 2100;

(3) extreme weather events due to a more vigorous

hydrological cycle, such as increased flooding in some

areas and more severe droughts in others; (4) saltwater

intrusion into freshwater supplies; and (5) the spread of

infectious diseases, including malaria and dengue fever;

Whereas the IPCC estimates that today’s carbon emissions

will remain in our atmosphere for a century or more;

Whereas more than 2,600 scientists recently signed the Scientists’ Statement on Global Climatic Disruption calling

on the United States, as the world leader in greenhouse

gas emissions, to provide leadership this December in

Kyoto, Japan, where an international protocol to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change, to which the United States is party, is scheduled

to be signed;

Whereas relations between the United States and Pacific island nations historically have been marked by a spirit of

mutual understanding and cooperation on a wide range

of issues;

Whereas Pacific island nations and the United States share

a commitment to world peace, and the Pacific islands

have traditionally been supportive of major United States

initiatives, including United States positions at the United Nations;

Whereas at the Seventh Economic Summit of Smaller Island

States (SIS), held September 17, 1997, in the Cook Islands, a statement was issued to reaffirm, recognize, and

endorse the Second Assessment Report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of 1996;
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Whereas the United States is a Forum Dialogue Partner in

the South Pacific Forum and is a participant or contributor to other regional organizations, including the South

Pacific Regional Environment Programme, the South Pacific Commission, the Forum Fisheries Agency, the El

Nino research in conjunction with the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

the South Pacific Geoscience Commission (SOPAC), the

Joint Commercial Commission (JCC), the U.S. Studies

Country Program (USSCP), in connection with the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Program, the

International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone (SPNFZ) Treaty, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the World Bank,

and the Asian Development Bank;

Whereas the bonds of cooperation are established between the

United States and Pacific island nations either through

independent territorial, commonwealth, or free association relationships;

Whereas certain Pacific island nations, in alliance with the

United States, have historically provided for an important U.S. regional strategic presence and have continued

to provide such vital assistance in recent years;

Whereas the world is becoming more politically and socially

volatile, with growing security threats in proximity to the

Pacific region and in other potentially hostile global theaters;

Whereas Pacific island nations, with many inhabited atolls,

lie only a few feet above sea level and are faced with the

constant threat of flooding and the possible loss of their

nations due to a rise in sea level induced by global warming;
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Whereas Pacific island nations such as Nauru, Tuvalu,

Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are already experiencing the effects of an accelerated sea level

rise, such as salinization of soil and water, erosion, and

rising tides;

Whereas the National Academy of Sciences has determined

that the efficiency of nearly every United States energy

use can be improved and that the United States could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions significantly at low

cost or potential savings; and

Whereas research and development into advanced energy saving technologies would position the United States as the

leading exporter of these technologies, reduce the dependency of the United States on foreign oil, and help balance

the trade deficit: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) the United States, with its advanced tech4 nologies and comprehensive studies on global climate

5 conditions, should be committed to the proposition

6 that global warming is a very serious international

7 issue, and the United States take appropriate meas8 ures to consult closely with the nations of the world

9 to address this serious problem; and

10 (2) the leaders and peoples of Pacific island na11 tions should be commended for their efforts to en12 hance the consciousness and sensitivity of the world
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1 community by raising the issue of global warming

2 and greenhouse gas emissions.

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