I have watched President Obama’s speech on climate change several times now and keep coming back to his amazingly powerful call to action.
What we need in this fight are citizens, who will stand up and speak up and compel us to do what this moment demands. Understand this is not just a job for politicians. So I am going to need all of you to educate your classmates, your colleagues, your parents, your friends. Tell them what’s at stake. Speak up at town halls, church groups, PTA meetings. Push back on misinformation. Speak up for the facts. Broaden the circle of those who are willing to stand up for our future. Convince those in power to reduce our carbon pollution. Push your own communities to adopt smarter practices. Invest, divest. Remind folks there is no contradiction between a sound environment and strong economic growth. And remind everyone who represents you at every level of government that sheltering future generations against the ravages of climate change is a prerequisite for your vote. Make yourself heard on this issue!
President Barack Obama – 6/25/2013
As a father of three kids, the President’s call to action really hits home with me. It was very validating to hear the President ask all of us to do what I continue to do. Through the blog and numerous community activities, I have dedicated myself to raising awareness of climate change and doing something about it for the past several years. You do not need to install solar panels to make a difference. What you need to do is stand up and be heard – by your friends, by your family and by your elected officials.
I would love for you to watch the entire 49 minute long speech as it is full of powerful and important facts about climate change, but if you are only going to watch part of it, spend two minutes and watch President Obama’s call to action for our nation and then stand up and speak out.
Happy Greening!
Jon
I do wish he would undo some of the recent anti-green laws! Like making it illegal to collect too much water in rain barrels – rain barrels could save *so* much energy!!!
Jaime, aren’t those local and state laws that restrict rain water collection? We have 3 rain barrels and use them all the time.
Did you hear the NPR Environment podcast on water rights earlier this year?
I was impressed by all the shout-outs to Republicans and red states states that are making great progress. He really did make the case for this being a bipartisan issue.
I also really liked how he explained that the impact of climate change is already being felt and paid for by Americans today.