Rhode Island Democrat's speeches _ now at 83 _ make him Senate's top climate change advocate

Each week Congress is in session, Sheldon Whitehouse preaches the dangers of climate change from the Senate floor. He's at 83 and counting.

He says he's never given the same speech twice — there are plenty of new angles to take on such a big problem.

The Rhode Island Democrat's speeches make him the Senate's loudest, most persistent voice for climate change advocacy.

As the Senate switches to a Republican majority, Whitehouse faces significant hurdles in getting meaningful climate change legislation passed. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said his top priority will be to rein in environmental regulators.

But Whitehouse thinks there's a chance for his latest proposal for a carbon fee. He says he'll keep speaking about climate change until there's serious action to address it.