During the first four years of President Barack Obama’s presidency, he said very little about climate change, much to the dismay of most liberals.
While I’ve long known he accepts that climate change is real and based on science, taking this public step matters.
In three paragraphs about halfway through his second inaugural address Monday, he put it out there clearly and decisively.
Here’s the part of his speech Monday that dealt with climate change, thanks to the Washington Post for posting the transcript:
“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.
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 American 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… .”
He has tied the need for addressing climate change to future generations much in the way others have tied their concern for the debt and deficits to future generations.
If one is good for the future, why not the other? Because truly, debts and deficits won’t matter much of we destroy the only planet we have upon which to live.
Welcome aboard, Mr. President.
– Linda J.
