May. 13, 2022
Hello, I’m writing to express my support for the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed rule to require publicly-traded companies to disclose climate-related financial risk information (S7-10-22). Climate change is impacting every region of the world, and its effects—including extreme weather and related climate-fueled disasters—are accelerating. We are suffering from an unstable climate and environmental degradation perpetuated by polluters. As climate-related disasters continue to increase in frequency and severity, the death and destruction left in the wake are becoming harder to grapple with. A stable financial system that supports the American economy is challenging to ensure, especially while investors and other market actors don’t have the information to make climate and community supporting investments. I would like to see a sustainable American market that gives investors the choice to support companies that try their best not to harm the environment, and those that actively try to address climate change and related issues. Other countries are already requiring these types of climate-related disclosures from companies. It is time for the U.S. to step up and do the same. The environment is priceless—we enjoy national and state parks that offer us inspiring views and exciting glances at wildlife, and the biodiversity found across this nation provides life-sustaining ecosystem services. With global average temperatures on the rise causing losses in biodiversity, we are losing all that is precious. We need transparent information about climate-related investment risks. Thank you for proposing this rule, and I urge the SEC to finalize it as quickly as possible. Jeanette Bergeron