Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called climate changeand human activity’s impact on global temperatures”fact” in an address made to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. “It is fact when we see habitats changing because temperatures are warmer. It is fact when we see sea ice that is multi-year ice is no longer in place where it historically has been. Working toward our energy future, we must be reducing emissions that contribute to climate change.”
“We have to have a better discussion about climate change and the responses to it,” Murkowski said, referencing the Republican Party. “We have to not be afraid to use terms that some might say, that’s politically charged. Why is it politically charged to say climate change? I see in my state the impact we have from warming temperatures.” The Alaskan has long called for climate change action, particularly given the impacts she sees firsthand in her home state. “I want to facilitate the climate conversation going forward by helping find balance and bring facts forward. We can absolutely continue to use hydrocarbons and critical minerals and protect the environment at the same time. We can do this.”
“The conversation is difficult…let’s stop making it harder.”