WASHINGTON - August 24 - The Senate subcommittee on national parks held a field hearing today in Estes Park, Colorado, to gather information on the impact of climate change in Colorado's national parks.

Statement by Mark Wenzler, director of clean air and climate programs for NPCA:

"National parks show some of the clearest examples of global warming, since they are protected from many other impacts. Record temperatures, drought, flooding, and displaced wildlife are already evident in the national parks. Things will only get worse unless our leaders commit the resources necessary to safeguard national parks, wildlife, and our own communities from the effects of global warming.

"Congress could soon provide an answer: the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, which passed the House earlier this summer, dedicated a small amount of revenue generated from the sale of greenhouse gas pollution permits to state and federal natural resource protection programs. A similar provision is needed in the Senate's version of climate legislation. I hope Congress will follow the lead of Senators Udall and McCain by enacting legislation that safeguards America's natural heritage from the effects of climate change."