A resolution recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 552 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 552

Recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 17, 2025

 Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
   Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Welch, and Ms. Blunt 
 Rochester) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
         the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing that oceans are warming due to human-caused climate change.

Whereas climate change is causing the oceans to absorb roughly 14 zettajoules of 
        excess heat every year;
Whereas the top 2,000 meters of the global ocean have been significantly 
        warning, gaining approximately 372 zettajoules of excess heat since 
        1955;
Whereas, by 2100, it is projected that the rate of ocean warming in the top 
        2,000 meters will be 2 to 6 times greater than the rate of warming at 
        the time of the introduction of this resolution;
Whereas ocean warming can have deleterious effects on biodiversity and sea life, 
        including the health of coral reefs, which contribute $3,400,000,000 
        annually to the United States economy;
Whereas ocean warming will cause United States fish populations to move across 
        international boundaries or into the high seas, causing economic 
        uncertainty for fishermen;
Whereas climate change is acidifying the oceans, threatening the environmental 
        health and biodiversity of the United States;
Whereas ocean warming and acidification can cause numerous harms to ocean life, 
        including to species with calcium carbonate shells, which are key 
        components of the ocean's food webs;
Whereas warming sea surface temperatures will shrink populations of the world's 
        most abundant phytoplankton, significantly damaging the ocean food web;
Whereas warmer oceans will increase the risk and severity of harmful algal 
        blooms, especially in the spring and summer months, which at the time of 
        the introduction of this resolution cost between $10,000,000 and 
        $100,000,000 annually on average and harm ecosystems, fisheries, 
        drinking water, public health, recreation, and tourism;
Whereas increased ocean temperatures have expanded Vibrio concentrations in the 
        United States, a bacterial pathogen that can cause severe illness, 
        infection, and death in humans;
Whereas warmer oceans increase evaporation rates, increasing atmospheric 
        humidity, which fuels stronger hurricanes and extreme precipitation 
        events;
Whereas ocean warming caused North Atlantic hurricanes at the time of the 
        introduction of this resolution to be, on average, a category more 
        intense, with wind speeds averaging 18.6 miles per hour faster, wreaking 
        more damage; and
Whereas our oceans are warming rapidly each year: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that climate change is 
imposing serious harms on our oceans and on coastal communities.
                                 <all>