Peter Joffrion is running for Congress as a Democrat in n Alabama's District 5.

North Alabamians deserve a representative who will fight for their best interests. If there is anything to be learned from Mo Brooks' comments at the most recent House Science, Space and Technology Committee hearing , it is that Mo Brooks will continue to say things that not only embarrass North Alabamians but work against our best interests.



A point-by-point refutation of Rep. Brooks' ridiculous claims would prove fruitless. If he remains unmoved by the overwhelming amount of evidence offered by the scientific community, the virtual consensus among experts in the field, and the forceful pushback of several science media outlets, it is unlikely he'll be swayed from his ill-advised position by me. Brooks should, however, be concerned with bringing jobs to North Alabama and supporting the robust scientific community that already exists here. I'd like to respond to the damaging consequences of Brooks' penchant for embarrassing those he represents.



From TVA to NASA, science continues to be a primary driver of our local economy. When Mo Brooks undermines the very communities he is obligated to represent, he sends a dangerous message with stark economic implications. He is communicating to tech companies outside our region that North Alabama is a hostile place for science and tech industries. The rapid and forceful rejection of Brooks' comments by industry leaders provides clear evidence of this. Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing fields in the world. We need those jobs here. We have the natural and intellectual resources necessary to be on the leading edge of clean energy innovation research.



Many families in North Alabama are experiencing financial hardship because of a shifting industrial base. Our district deserves an aggressive voice in Congress who will work to recruit jobs for our area. We don't need someone who scares away promising new economic opportunities because of ignorance or ideology - or some dangerous combination of both.



I've been traveling across North Alabama, talking with the constituents of Congressional District Five. Many people are concerned about what climate change means for the future of the world. Many people are concerned that burdensome government regulations may unduly interrupt their personal and professional worlds. I think each side has legitimate concerns. Together we can come up with solutions that tackle the challenges of climate change in ways that don't interfere with our personal lives or stifle economic productivity.



Finding those solutions will require us to listen to each other without passing judgment. It will require us to consult with both the leaders of industry and leaders in the scientific community. It is possible, however, to leverage our resources to create new economic opportunities for our North Alabama communities.



I am troubled by Brooks' comments. His continued insistence that 'falling rocks' are to blame for rising sea levels contradicts what the scientific community has been teaching us since the 1970's. His comments contradict NASA's official position on climate change and rising sea levels. What's more troubling is that Brooks again has placed his own priorities above the interests of North Alabamians.