President Highlights Climate Change & Energy In Inaugural Address

Jan 21: President Obama emphasized the need to address climate change and to invest in renewable energy in his second Inaugural Address saying:

"We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.  We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.  (Applause.)  Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms.  

 

"The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult.  But America cannot resist this transition, we must lead it.  We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries, we must claim its promise.  That's how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure -- our forests and waterways, our crop lands and snow-capped peaks.  That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God.  That's what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared."

    Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued a brief statement saying, "The way the President spoke about climate change in his remarks today was exactly right. Addressing the threat of climate change is about protecting the future for our children and future generations, our most sacred obligation."

 

    Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director, released a statement saying, "The Sierra Club is heartened by President Obama's remarks today in his second inauguration and his renewed vow to respond to the threat of climate disruption. Indeed, in America, our possibilities are limitless, and the Sierra Club's 2.1 million members and supporters urge the president to cement our nation's position as the global clean energy leader by going all in on sustainable energy, holding polluters accountable, and rejecting the dangerous tar sands pipeline. We will work tirelessly to ensure the transition to safe, clean energy sources to fight the most pressing challenge of our time."

   

    Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) commented saying, "The President said it exactly right: 'We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.' We at EDF share the sense of urgency President Obama described. We are fully focused on working with him and many others to achieve climate security and American clean energy innovation." 

   

    Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), issued a statement saying, "This is a call to action against the climate chaos that is sweeping our nation and threatening our future. Now it's time to act. Power plants are our single largest source of carbon pollution. We must cut that pollution. We must do it now, for the sake of our country, our children and the future we share."

 

    Access the complete Inaugural Address (click here). Access the statement from Sen. Boxer (click here). Access the statement from Sierra Club (click here). Access the statement from EDF (click here). Access the statement from NRDC with links to related information (click here). [Climate, #Energy/Renewable]

 

 

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