Obama: 'We will respond to the threat of climate change'
President Obama has today used his second inauguration address to commit his second term to ambitious action to curb greenhouse gas emissions, pledging to “respond to the threat of climate change”.
Environmental issues were granted a prize spot near the top of Obama’s address to the nation, with the President stating explicitly that “we will respond to the threat of climate change - the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations”.
Obama also aimed thinly veiled criticism at climate sceptic Republicans, arguing that “some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact”.
“We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries - we must claim its promise,” he said. “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.”
He also reiterated his campaign pledge to ensure the US accelerates investment in clean energy, arguing that the shift towards low carbon sources of energy was now inevitable. “The path towards sustainable energy will be long and sometimes difficult,” he acknowledged, but added that “America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it”.
As expected the speech was light on policy details, but the comments were immediately welcomed by green groups on both sides of the Atlantic as evidence Obama intends to make good on his earlier commitment to make action on climate change a central part of his second term.
The Obama administration is likely to face fierce opposition from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives for any flagship environmental measures, such as the introduction of a carbon tax or any increase of direct funding for clean energy programmes.
However, commentators have advised that significant steps can be made to tighten environmental protection rules and stimulate green investment through the Environmental Protection Agency and other state bodies that the President has more direct control over.
There will also be renewed international optimism that President Obama could use the last year of his time in office to help finalise a global treaty under the UN’s climate change negotiations, which are scheduled to deliver a new over-arching agreement in 2015.
An early test of his commitment to environmental issues is now expected in the coming months with a decision due on whether to approve the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and a fresh row brewing over government funding for green programmes as part of the latest round of Congressional budget negotiations.
Environmental issues were granted a prize spot near the top of Obama’s address to the nation, with the President stating explicitly that “we will respond to the threat of climate change - the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations”.
Obama also aimed thinly veiled criticism at climate sceptic Republicans, arguing that “some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact”.
“We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries - we must claim its promise,” he said. “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.”
He also reiterated his campaign pledge to ensure the US accelerates investment in clean energy, arguing that the shift towards low carbon sources of energy was now inevitable. “The path towards sustainable energy will be long and sometimes difficult,” he acknowledged, but added that “America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it”.
As expected the speech was light on policy details, but the comments were immediately welcomed by green groups on both sides of the Atlantic as evidence Obama intends to make good on his earlier commitment to make action on climate change a central part of his second term.
The Obama administration is likely to face fierce opposition from the Republican-controlled House of Representatives for any flagship environmental measures, such as the introduction of a carbon tax or any increase of direct funding for clean energy programmes.
However, commentators have advised that significant steps can be made to tighten environmental protection rules and stimulate green investment through the Environmental Protection Agency and other state bodies that the President has more direct control over.
There will also be renewed international optimism that President Obama could use the last year of his time in office to help finalise a global treaty under the UN’s climate change negotiations, which are scheduled to deliver a new over-arching agreement in 2015.
An early test of his commitment to environmental issues is now expected in the coming months with a decision due on whether to approve the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and a fresh row brewing over government funding for green programmes as part of the latest round of Congressional budget negotiations.
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