declare climate change to be a national emergency

For the past several years we have seen an alarming rise in temperature across the globe in addition to unprecedented and catastrophic weather events. New research has determined that temperature increases and ice melt are happening at a much faster rate than previously predicted. We have seen billions of dollars in damage in the United States alone due to climate change related events, including drought, "super" storms, flooding, tornadoes and record setting hurricanes. We can no longer continue to take half measures when it comes to this issue. The lives of our citizens and the livelihood of this nation are at stake. We must make the needed sacrifice and take the necessary steps now to prepare and protect our citizens.