Obama Talks Ebola and Climate In SOTU美文

Obama Talks Ebola and Climate In SOTU美文

“In West Africa, our troops, our scientists, our doctors, our nurses and healthcare workers are rolling back Ebola?—?saving countless lives and stopping the spread of disease. I could not be prouder of them, and I thank this Congress for your bipartisan support of their efforts. But the job is not yet done?—?and the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effective global effort to prevent the spread of future pandemics, invest in smart development, and eradicate extreme poverty…”

“2014 was the planets warmest year on record. Now, one year doesnt 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.

“Ive heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying theyre not scientists; that we dont have enough information to act. Well, Im not a scientist, either. But you know what?—?I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and NOAA, and at our major universities. The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, well continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe. The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it.

“Thats why, over the past six years, weve done more than ever before to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy to the way we use it. Thats why weve set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history. And thats why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts. I am determined to make sure American leadership drives international action.

“In Beijing, we made an 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 worlds 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 weve got.”