The President told the lawmakers, members of his administration, Supreme Court justices, military leaders and distinguished guests how he and his administration have reversed the economic crisis, beaten back terrorists, reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil and protected the planet.
“And today, America is number one in oil and gas. America is number one in wind power. Every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008. And thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards, the typical family this year should save about $750 at the pump,” Obama said proudly.
The President issued warnings on the dangers of terrorist actions, cyber attacks and Republican-led sanctions against Iran that threaten to derail negotiations towards “a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran…”
But Obama reserved his sternest warning for the dangers of climate change. “2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record,” the President declared. “Now, one year doesn’t make a trend, but this does: 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century.”
Dealing with climate changer deniers, a label that could be applied to many Republicans, Obama said, “I’ve heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they’re not scientists; that we don’t have enough information to act. Well, I’m not a scientist, either. But you know what, I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and at NOAA, and at our major universities. And the best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we don’t act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration and conflict and hunger around the globe.”
“The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it,” Obama warned to applause.
“And that’s why, over the past six years, we’ve done more than ever to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy to the way we use it. That’s why we’ve set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history,” Obama said. “And that’s why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts.”
At the end of this year, world leaders are scheduled to agree to a legally-binding, UN-backed global agreement to curb climate change. President Obama pledged tonight that his administration will lead that effort.
“I am determined to make sure that American leadership drives international action,” he declared.
“In Beijing, we made a historic announcement: The United States will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution. And China committed, for the first time, to limiting their emissions. And because the world’s two largest economies came together, other nations are now stepping up, and offering hope that this year the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we’ve got,” Obama said.
On November 12, 2014 during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Beijing, President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping said in a joint statement that their countries “have a critical role to play in combating global climate change, one of the greatest threats facing humanity.”
“The global scientific community has made clear that human activity is already changing the world’s climate system,” they declared. “The seriousness of the challenge calls upon the two sides to work constructively together for the common good.”
Referring to the highly controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline proposed by the Canadian company TransCanada, Obama hinted that he would deny the project the required Presidential Permit.
“Twenty-first century businesses need 21st century infrastructure – modern ports, and stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest Internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let’s set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline,” he said. “Let’s pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year, and make this country stronger for decades to come.”
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