Having the leader of the free world state so clearly that we must respond to the threat of climate change is absolutely a good thing. Having him state that the path is both long and difficult is even better.
But forgive me for being cynical; haven’t we heard all of this before? I truly hope my cynicism is unwarranted and that this is just a prelude to real action, but I’ll hold off on my excitement until Obama’s inspiring words are backed by actions.
Until then we need to continue pushing for real solutions.
UPDATE: Peter Sinclair starts off his post on the subject with a quote that I think sums up the situation very well:
”I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it.”
– attributed to Franklin Roosevelt
This says some of what needs saying:
(btw, these come from my community, not just me)
let’s see if I can get it to post here:
In other words actions speak louder than words.
Though the opening quote from Peter Sinclair’s latest has a ring if truth to it:
”I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it..” – attributed to Franklin Roosevelt
http://climatecrocks.com/2013/01/22/why-i-believe-obama-on-climate/
Excellent speech. Bravo! But meanwhile cynism seems warranted for the rest of this century (and longer if cynics still exist then).
The last sentences remind of a recent, and vanished, Planet3 post featuring an elderly female pastor. It was about some spiritual climate initiative. I’ve always been cynical about metaphysicians worrying about physis (Heidegger’s term for the holy in nature). But now I must shout a second Bravo! to Obama. He seems to fully get it. Quote: “That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.”
Alas methinks Martin Luthzer King was/is a few decades ahead: “We are faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The ‘tide in the affairs of men’ does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: ‘Too late.’”
Forget thy “forests and waterways, croplands and snowcapped peaks” Mr. President.
That post is not disappeared:
http://planet3.org/2013/01/15/national-preach-in-on-global-warming-february-8-10-2013/
All the featured media posts can be accessed here:
http://planet3.org/category/featured/media/