WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, offered his support to the roughly one thousand Mainers who are traveling down to New York today to march at the upcoming United Nations Climate Summit hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

“Thank you for marching on behalf of everyone in Maine, and around the world, who is already being affected by climate change and who will be affected in years to come. Now is the time for meaningful action to turn the tide of climate change. Now is the time for a show of force to make a statement to the world that we care. Now is the time for us to join together to ensure that we pass a better world on to our children,” Senator King wrote. “…I do not have to tell you that climate change is already affecting Maine – whether it is the lobster population moving north or a declining moose population – Maine is at great risk of losing its character of place. However, as you know, there are many people around the world facing direct threats due to a changing environment. People in Bangladesh, Denmark, and the Maldives risk losing their homes. Millions of people have decreasing access to fertile croplands and drinkable water. Climate change is increasingly destabilizing our world – our own Department of Defense now recognizes climate change as a ‘conflict catalyst.’ Fortunately, we now have the tools to turn the tide.”

The Climate Change Summit, which is being held at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 23^rd, will bring together world leaders from government, finance, business, and civil society to galvanize and catalyze climate action.  UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015.

For more information, visit www.un.org/climatechange/summit.

The complete text of Senator King’s letter is below:

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September 19, 2014

Dear Climate March Participants from Maine,

Thank you for marching on behalf of everyone in Maine, and around the world, who is already being affected by climate change and who will be affected in years to come. Now is the time for meaningful action to turn the tide of climate change. Now is the time for a show of force to make a statement to the world that we care. Now is the time for us to join together to ensure that we pass a better world on to our children.

I understand that there are about a thousand of you making the trip to New York – by bicycle, by bus, and carpooling – and that you are organized by groups like the Sierra Club Maine; 350 Maine; Unity, Bowdoin, and Bates Colleges, and the College of the Atlantic; the University of New England; the Watershed School; and, churches like the Unitarian Universalists. I cannot join you in person, but I support your conviction and echo your call for action. 

I do not have to tell you that climate change is already affecting Maine – whether it is the lobster population moving north or a declining moose population – Maine is at great risk of losing its character of place. However, as you know, there are many people around the world facing direct threats due to a changing environment. People in Bangladesh, Denmark, and the Maldives risk losing their homes. Millions of people have decreasing access to fertile croplands and drinkable water. Climate change is increasingly destabilizing our world – our own Department of Defense now recognizes climate change as a “conflict catalyst.”                            

Fortunately, we now have the tools to turn the tide. The cost of renewable energy is becoming more and more competitive. We are realizing that we do not have to choose between a robust economy and a clean economy. There is increasing international cohesion on the issue.

Now is the time for action.

Sincerely,

ANGUS S. KING, JR.

United States Senator

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