WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 – As nearly 150 world leaders gather for a summit in Paris on climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Tuesday that the United States must lead the world in taking bold actions to stop climate change.

Calling the need to combat climate change a moral issue, Sanders agreed with Pope Francis about the urgent need to take action, 

“The pope was right when he said the problems are getting worse and that unless we act ‘we are at the limits of suicide,’” Sanders said. 

A member of the Senate environment and energy committees, Sanders said scientists have warned that there is a short window of opportunity to transform our energy systems away from fossil fuels and toward energy efficiency and sustainable energy. 

“The evidence is overwhelming. When the final calculations are made, 2015 will replace 2014 as the warmest year on record. Droughts, floods and severe storms already are impacting the planet and the situation will only become worse in years to come,” Sanders said. 

“I find it unacceptable that many of my Republican colleagues are more worried about campaign contributions they’re getting from the Koch brothers and others in the fossil fuel industry than they are about preserving the planet for our children and grandchildren,” the senator added.