President Recommits to Tackling Global Warming in Inaugural Address

Concord, NH  – Minutes ago, President Obama concluded his second inaugural address. Advocate of Environment New Hampshire, Jessica O’Hare, made the following statement in response: 

“I am pleased that President Obama committed to do more to tackle global warming in his second term, building on the strong foundation his administration laid over the last four years.         

“From Hurricane Sandy, to raging forest fires, to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl, far too many Americans and the places we love have been devastated by recent extreme weather events fueled by global warming.

“President Obama’s second term offers tremendous opportunity to turn the tide on this problem. Starting with rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline, the president must make fighting global warming a central priority.

“Over the next four years, we are counting on President Obama to set tough limits on carbon pollution from power plants, continue investing in the development of clean, renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power, and to implement dramatic energy efficiency improvements that will cut dangerous pollution and protect our environment and our families.

“The president is poised to continue speaking out about the dangers of global warming. Even better, he is poised to act. I look forward to working with President Obama and his administration to do what it takes to tackle the challenges ahead.”

President Obama’s statement on climate:

“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 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 is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped 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.”