Obama puts America on moral path to address global warming on behalf of future generations
WASHINGTON, DC, June 25, 2013 – Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) applauds President Obama for his climate leadership and action plan that he outlined today at Georgetown University. He backed up his 2013 inaugural promise to “preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God.”
The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, president of Interfaith Power & Light, together with other prominent faith leaders and dignitaries, braved the heat to witness this historic event and lend support to the President. The Rev. Bingham’s statement follows:
“For those of us lucky enough to be in the audience today, President Obama’s speech was inspiring and profoundly encouraging. The President spoke with passion about our ‘need to act’ and asked the question ‘will we have the courage to act before it is too late?’ And then, he proceeded to outline his plan, which includes cutting carbon pollution, transitioning to clean energy, and practicing energy efficiency. These three things have been at the core of Interfaith Power & Light’s work for years, including the work of our forty state affiliates and the 15,000 congregations within our network, who have become positive energy role models within their communities. It is gratifying to know we’re in sync with the President’s plan.
“Given the work IPL has done on the issue of EPA clean air safeguards, we were grateful to hear the President say he will direct the EPA to finalize carbon pollution standards for both new and existing power plants. Obama said, this ‘would put an end to the limitless dumping of carbon pollution from our power plants.’ About forty percent of America’s carbon pollution comes from dirty power plants.
“The President mentioned the Keystone tar sands oil pipeline and said that the net effect of carbon on the climate would be the determining factor as to whether the project should be allowed to move forward. We’re relieved to know he’s thinking this way and making the strong connection between Keystone and global warming.
“IPL also appreciates the president’s recognition that our nation has a unique responsibility to lead the international community on climate protection. We are poised and ready to support President Obama and help make his climate action plan a reality.”
View President Obama’s Climate Action Plan Speech, June 25, 2014
Full transcript of President Obama’s Speech
