SACRAMENTO – Both houses of the Legislature have approved a resolution by Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) urging the United States Congress to establish a comprehensive framework to adapt the nation’s natural environment and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.

Assembly Joint Resolution 26 is now on the governor’s desk.

“We know that climate change is already having a major impact on California’s environment,” Chesbro said. “Sea levels have risen as much as seven inches along the coast over the past century. These impacts are increasing erosion and degrading water quality and they threaten the food webs of fish and marine life in ways not yet fully understood.”

AJR 26 would request that Congress establish an all-inclusive framework, including dedicated funding, for adapting wildlife, habitats, coasts, watersheds, rivers and other natural resources and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.

Currently, California lacks a dedicated funding source for programs to protect the state from climate change.

“It is imperative for Congress to support the states’ strategies to address climate change and provide funding for these strategies to protect the health of our precious natural resources and the communities that depend on them,” Chesbro said. “California understands the importance of addressing climate impacts today. The California Natural Resources Agency, in coordination with other state agencies, has recently developed the state’s first strategy to identify and prepare for impacts already occurring and expected future impacts.”