Washington, D.C. -- Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after Pope Francis issued an encyclical calling for international action to prevent the most devastating impacts of climate change.

Senator Boxer said: "God bless the Pope for speaking the truth to the world about the dangers we face if we don't tackle climate change. I hope his words serve as a wakeup call for those who believe the polluters and for those who have worked night and day to stop us from passing legislation that would move us toward clean energy and allow us to avert the catastrophe of unchecked climate change."

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