Members of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) joined the SEEC Institute on a two-day climate change tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week.
SEEC Co-Chair Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois was joined by SEEC Vice Chair Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois, SEEC Member Rep. Jared Huffman of California and SEEC Member Rep. Maxine Dexter of Oregon to learn about the significant impacts of climate change on the nation’s most visited national park. The tour concluded in Asheville, N.C. where members discussed post-Hurricane Helene disaster recovery efforts and economic impacts with local officials, disaster coordinators and small business owners.
“For a decade, my National Park Climate Change Tours have allowed us a firsthand look at how climate change damages our parks’ plants, wildlife and waterways. During our visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I visited places like Chilhowee Lake and learned about habitat restoration efforts to protect endangered fish populations and ensure ecological diversity. This year, we also spent time visiting with nearby towns that were hit by Hurricane Helene, where we discussed the importance of federal services to rebuilding and fighting severe weather. The Great Smoky Mountains is ultimately just one of the many national treasures threatened by extreme weather, rising carbon emissions and plastic pollution. We all have to work together to fight that threat,” Quigley said.
According to Casten, national parks are among America’s most important treasures.
“I was honored to join my colleagues this past week in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see local efforts to preserve crucial ecosystems and ensure that our parks will be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. I also appreciated hearing directly from folks managing the recovery and rehabilitation efforts following Hurricane Helene, and look forward to taking what we learned back to Washington to help mitigate the next climate-driven extreme weather disaster,” Casten said.
Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park affirmed for Huffman the vitality of America‘s public lands for the health and prosperity of nearby communities.
“The park and surrounding national forests protect clean air and water, offer unmatched recreational opportunities to locals and visitors alike, and power local economies by driving tourism and supporting small businesses in Tennessee and North Carolina. I was inspired by the innovative and collaborative efforts between all levels of government, Tribes and nonprofit organizations working to protect and restore habitat and wildlife in the face of the climate crisis. Investing in climate resilience and public lands is how we build a safer, stronger America— not tear it down with the reckless cuts and short-sighted policies President Trump and Republicans are pushing,” Huffman said.
Dexter said the trip was a powerful reminder for her about what is at stake if Americans lose public lands and if American politics do not continue to work to protect Americans from climate change. The Trump Administration has proposed cutting policies which protect Americans from pollution and proposed selling public lands in western states to make a profit for the federal government.
“From climate research to conservation and community resilience, each stop underscored the vital role our public lands play in protecting health and combating the climate crisis. At Look Rock, I saw how long-term air quality monitoring is helping us understand and respond to environmental threats. This work is more urgent than ever as Trump renews his assault on our public lands and congressional Republicans push legislation that would sell them off. These experiences will directly inform my oversight work as we fight to ensure our lands and air remain protected for future generations,” Dexter said.
The SEEC is a coalition of 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that was founded in January 2009 to be a focused, active, and effective coalition for advancing policies that address climate change, promote clean energy innovation and domestic manufacturing, develop renewable energy resources, create family-sustaining clean jobs, protect the nation’s air, water and natural environment, and promote environmental justice.
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Rebecca Barnabi
