By Cara Fleischer
The Upper Limit Project mourns the passing of Rafe Pomerance, one of the earliest and most influential voices warning the world about the dangers of climate change.
Surrounded by his loving family, Pomerance died of lung cancer on May 21 at the age of 79.
A tireless climate advocate, Pomerance helped propel climate change into the global spotlight, securing the first congressional hearings on the issue in 1986. His career included serving as deputy assistant secretary of state for environment and development under President Bill Clinton, helping negotiate the landmark Kyoto Protocol and Paris Climate Accord, and founding advocacy groups including the National Clean Air Coalition, Climate Policy Center, Arctic 21 and, most recently, the Upper Limit Project.
Pomerance spent decades sounding the alarm about the growing climate crisis while inspiring generations of scientists, advocates, policymakers and communicators to act with urgency and hope. His work is highlighted in “Losing Earth” by Nathaniel Rich, which chronicles the early history of climate activism. The book is now being adapted by Sony Pictures Classics into a feature film, “The Statement” which is due for release in late 2026.
The movie revolves around the real-life climate summit that took place in 1980 at the iconic Don CeSar hotel on St. Pete Beach. Actor Ethan Peters portrays Pomerance in the film.
In one of his final public reflections, Pomerance told 10 Tampa Bay News in April, “This meeting may have its greatest legacy in the movie, and what follows it.”
As founder of the Upper Limit Project, Pomerance continued his lifelong mission by championing a bold new climate framework: establishing an “upper limit” on sea-level rise to complement the 1.5 degrees C temperature target established in the Paris Agreement.
“An upper limit on sea level rise is a promise of hope — for our coasts, our children and our world,” Pomerance said.
The Upper Limit Project is a collaboration among environmental strategists, nonprofit leaders, climate scientists and civic professionals working to reduce climate impacts by advancing policies that limit sea-level rise and protect coastal communities worldwide
“Rafe led with unrelenting energy, vision, and enthusiasm,” the organization said in a statement. “He helped the world understand the profound stakes of climate change while never losing faith that people could still act in time. We will continue honoring his legacy through our work and our commitment to protecting future generations.”
Editor’s note: Pomerance’s advocacy included writing several columns on climate issues for The Invading Sea, some of which can found here.
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