President Obama declared climate change the greatest threat to the future during his State of the Union address Tuesday night.
“And no challenge — no challenge — poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change,” Obama said.
{mosads}Obama argued that while one year might not indicate a trend toward the planet getting warmer, the past decade does.
“2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record. Now, one year doesn’t 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,” he said.
Obama touted his administration’s action to combat the issue, saying the White House has “done more than ever before” to fight climate change.
“And that’s 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,” he said.
The president touted the recent agreement with China to cut greenhouse gas emissions as one of many actions he has taken to get the international community involved in tackling global warming.
“Because the world’s 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 we’ve got,” Obama said.
Republicans are sure to attack the Obama’s comments on climate change, which was a central focus of his speech.