Political Quotes

“38 years ago, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin founded Earth Day to celebrate the environment and to call attention to the major environmental issues of the time. Once again we celebrate the progress we have made to protect our environment, and are again called upon to address new challenges facing our planet. Since Earth Day's conception in 1970 our Nation has worked to reduce pollution and clean up lakes, streams, and the air we breathe. These environmental accomplishments have made us healthier, our economy prosper, and have helped to make America even more beautiful. Although we have made great strides to improve and protect our environment, it is clear that we are facing one of the gravest environmental challenges of our time. Global warming from man-made greenhouse gas emissions may be the most complicated crisis our world has ever faced. We must address it quickly and boldly in the United States and assert global leadership on this most important issue. Rising temperatures threaten to devastate western landscapes, intensify drought, and magnify summer heat waves. Fortunately, if we act swiftly, we still have a narrow window of time and opportunity to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Over the next 15 years, I am confident that we can reduce emissions by at least 25 percent. We will establish a framework for capping greenhouse gas emissions without imposing economic hardship on Americans.”