Nathan Willcox
President Obama Outlines Plan to Tackle Global Warming with Clean Energy
Media Contacts
Environment America
Washington, D.C. – Tonight, President Obama delivered his State of the Union address. Margie Alt, executive director of Environment America, responded with the following statement:
“Between his second inaugural address and tonight’s State of the Union address, President Obama has spoken more forcefully about the need to tackle global warming than all presidents before him combined. If this strong language is any indication of his commitment to addressing global warming, which we believe it is, the next four years hold great promise for our ability to cut carbon pollution and fulfill our obligation to our children and future generations.
“From Hurricane Sandy to the worst drought since the Dust Bowl, far too many Americans have already been affected by extreme weather events that scientists warn will grow more common and more severe unless we take action to tackle global warming pollution now. We must cut carbon pollution that’s fueling global warming, rein in our energy use by making our homes and businesses more efficient, and ramp up our production of truly clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
“Tonight the president outlined several critical steps toward achieving that clean energy future, including cutting energy waste in half over the next two decades and expanding wind and solar power.
“But in the end, curbing the worst effects of global warming will require real and significant cuts in carbon pollution, so we look to the president to follow through on his strong words with equally strong action—action that need not and should not include allowing irresponsible gas drilling on public lands or in our communities.
“The president and his administration must reject dirty energy projects like the Keystone XL pipeline, they must set strong limits on carbon pollution from power plants, and they must continue to expand upon the renewable energy solutions the president outlined tonight. We’re energized by the president’s address tonight, and look forward to working with him and his administration to make these goals a reality.”
