Resolution Affirms Climate Change is 'Sound Science,' Details Dismantling of Federal Research Program

This resolution is less about creating new policy and more about setting the record straight on climate science. It’s essentially a detailed finding of facts, asserting that climate change caused by burning fossil fuels is absolutely real and based on sound science, not a hoax. It then uses this foundation to urge Congress to protect existing climate research programs that are required by law.

The Historical Receipts: Big Oil Knew

One of the most striking parts of this resolution is the deep dive into the history of climate science—and who knew what, and when. It points out that scientists like Svante Arrhenius were connecting greenhouse gases and warming back in 1896. Even more pointedly, the resolution notes that as early as 1959, a physicist warned oil company representatives about the greenhouse effect and resulting sea level rise. By 1968, a Stanford report for the American Petroleum Institute was finding the same things. This section essentially documents decades of internal corporate and scientific knowledge that aligns perfectly with today’s consensus, reinforcing the idea that this isn't some new, shaky theory.

The 99.99% Consensus and Real-World Impacts

If you’ve ever wondered about the scientific consensus, this resolution puts a fine point on it: 99.99% of peer-reviewed scientific papers agree that climate change is happening and is mainly caused by human activity. It cites data from NASA, which maintains that the evidence of Earth warming at an unprecedented rate is “unequivocal.” For everyday people, this means the extreme weather events we’re all experiencing—the catastrophic wildfires, the brutal heat waves, the sea-level rise—are directly tied back to this scientifically confirmed reality. The resolution specifically notes that these impacts are already beginning to disrupt key financial sectors like insurance, mortgage, and real estate markets, which hits home for anyone trying to buy a house or pay their premiums.

The Case of the Missing Research Program

Perhaps the most pointed finding in the resolution deals with the U.S. Climate Assessment Program. This program, mandated by the Global Change Research Act of 1990, coordinates climate impact data across 15 federal agencies. The resolution documents that a key assessment was planned for 2028, but in 2025, the Trump administration fired the scientists working on it, pulled the most recent assessment offline, and shut down the program’s website. This isn’t just bureaucratic drama; these assessments are what help cities, farmers, and businesses plan for the future. By documenting the dismantling of this legally required program, the resolution highlights a direct threat to the data infrastructure that helps us prepare for climate change.

What This Means: A Foundation for Future Action

Since this is a resolution of findings, it doesn't change any laws or impose new taxes. It is a formal declaration of facts by a legislative body. Its main finding is simple: climate change is not a hoax, it’s grounded in sound science. The final action item is a call for Congress to protect climate research programs that are required by law. For those who rely on federal data for risk assessment—whether you’re a contractor building coastal infrastructure or a small business owner navigating new insurance rates—this resolution provides a strong, officially stated foundation that the government should be actively supporting the science needed to manage these risks.