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Issue link: http://sea-technology.epubxp.com/i/931205
26 ST | January 2018 www.sea-technology.com low Marine and a Republican representing Wisconsin, and I joined the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus to prioritize the need to address climate change. The cau- cus serves as a working group dedicated to finding solu- tions and advancing proposals to mitigate and reduce the impacts of climate change while continuing to grow our economy. In this effort, I partnered with Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), the Climate Solutions co-chair, to intro- duce the bipartisan Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act. This legislation instructs the secretary of commerce to establish a coastal climate change adaptation pro- gram, as well as a response grant program to protect our coastal resources. Additionally, I serve on the House Armed Services Committee. As a Marine Corps Reserves veteran, I am proud to support our military servicemen and women. In my role on the committee, I have met with high-rank- ing military officers concerned about the risk that climate change poses to our national security. On one occasion, at Elmendorf Air Force Base outside of Anchorage, Alas- ka, the commanding general shared with us one of his main concerns that significant Artic sea melt will mean more navigable pathways for foreign enemies. companies with support and investment by the federal government. Without continued engagement by federal agencies in these collaborations, we will not reach our full potential. It is imperative for Congress to continue to support existing programs and partnerships with proven track records of success. Whether it is public-private partner- ships, regional collaborations or federal research grants to universities and individual researchers, none of the collaborative processes I have described occur in a vacu- um. Congress has a vital role to play in continuing to ad- vance marine observation and monitoring technologies in the private sector and academia to help federal agen- cies achieve their mission objectives, which ultimately benefits the American people. ST Review&Forecast; A Changing Tide in Congress By Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) Member Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus U.S. Congressional Oceans Caucus U.S. House Armed Services Committee T hroughout my first year serving in Congress, I have often gotten into de- bates with colleagues over my belief that I represent— without a doubt—the most beautiful district in America. The Central Coast of Califor- nia is a special corner of the world, and preserving our unique coastal ecosystem is a top priority of mine. Raising my children in Santa Barbara and now watch- ing them have children of their own, close to the natural beauty of our oceans, constantly reminds me of the ur- gent need to preserve and protect our natural environ- ment. Healthy, sustainable oceans and our nation's eco- nomic growth are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand in hand. Our oceans and natural resources are renowned on the Central Coast and serve as economic hubs that generate tourism dollars, sustain our commer- cial and recreational fisheries and host diverse marine wildlife that is essential to preserving vital ecosystems. The health of our oceans is not a partisan issue, and while in the minority party in Congress, I have worked with my colleagues across the aisle to advocate for com- monsense solutions to protect our marine habitat. I have partnered with colleagues on work to reduce harmful NOx emissions, curb ocean acidification and strengthen our National Ocean Policy. The tides seem to be shifting in Congress, and there is a new sense of bipartisan agree- ment surrounding the need to act to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Earlier this year, Congressman Mike Gallagher, a fel- In this year's defense authorization bill, along with my colleague Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), I successfully ad- vocated for an amendment requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) to produce a report on climate change. This report will detail the threat climate change poses to our military operations and installations, as well as requiring DoD to propose mitigation strategies. Currently, coastal counties account for 39 percent of the United States population and produce $6.6 trillion in gross domestic product. It is important that coastal states start planning now for the harmful impacts that climate change will have on the public health of our communi- ties and our economy. "Ocean acidification will cost the world economy more than $1 trillion annually by 2100. In Alaska, where half of the seafood caught in the United States originates, the acidification of the cold water is endangering 70,000 jobs."