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United States President Barack Obama Hails Climate Change Agreement As ‘Historic’

By Manasi Gandhi
Published on: 12:16 PST, Dec 13, 2015

Speaking from the White House on Saturday night, United States President Barack Obama hailed the climate change agreement as “historic.” Taking credit for his administration, he said the following.

“Today the American people can be proud because this historic agreement is a tribute to American leadership. Over the past seven years, we’ve transformed the United States into the global leader in fighting climate change.This agreement represents the best chance we have to save the one planet that we’ve got.”

His speech came hours after the climate agreement was reached by nearly 200 nations at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris.

While aware of the fact that no agreement is perfect and there will always be limitations on how many targets set would be met, he warned everyone against complacency. He called it “good day” for the planet, considering the potential it has to change the current environment scenario.

Hillary Clinton applauded President Obama and Secretary Kerry on the ambitious agreement. In her statement released Saturday, he said the following.

“We cannot afford to be slowed by the climate skeptics or deterred by the defeatists who doubt America’s ability to meet this challenge. That’s why as President, I will make combating climate change a top priority from day one, and secure America’ future as the clean energy superpower of the 21’st century.”

Republican Jim Inhofe was vocal in his apprehensions on the climate agreement.

“The news remains the same. This agreement is no more binding than any other ‘agreement’ from any conference of the parties over the last 21 years. Senate leadership has already been outspoken in its positions that the United States is not legally bound to any agreement setting emissions targets or any financial commitment to it without approval by Congress.”

Reuters reported that it was most unlikely that that Paris agreement would be passed in the U.S. congress, as it is not legally binding, unlike the Kyoto pact.

Previously, Donald Trump, another skeptic of the science behind climate change, has stated that the world’s temperature “goes up and it goes down.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said, Obama is ”making promises he can’t keep, writing checks he can’t cash, and stepping over the middle class to take credit for an ‘agreement’ that is subject to being shredded in 13 months.”

“Obama is making promises he can’t keep, writing checks he can’t cash, and stepping over the middle class to take credit for an ‘agreement’ that is subject to being shredded in 13 months.”

As the world faces the imminent challenges of climate change disaster, it becomes urgent that corrective steps be taken in the direction of creating a sustainable planet. The rising sea levels have already created havoc in many parts of the world with huge losses of life and property. It is very important that all the nations of the world cut their carbon emissions and employ greener technologies like wind and solar, which could contribute towards curbing the rising temperature levels around the world.

[Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]

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