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Obama praises Paris climate deal as 'tribute to American leadership' Obama praises Paris climate deal as 'tribute to American leadership'
(about 1 hour later)
President Obama on Saturday hailed the agreement to combat climate change and carbon emissions reached by nearly 200 countries in Paris as “a tribute to strong, principled American leadership” and a vital step in ensuring the future of the planet.President Obama on Saturday hailed the agreement to combat climate change and carbon emissions reached by nearly 200 countries in Paris as “a tribute to strong, principled American leadership” and a vital step in ensuring the future of the planet.
Related: Paris climate deal: nearly 200 nations sign in end of fossil fuel eraRelated: Paris climate deal: nearly 200 nations sign in end of fossil fuel era
In a seven-minute address from the White House, the president cited the US agreement with China on carbon in 2014 as an inspiration for the Paris accord. He also repeatedly linked the deal, which was announced in France earlier in the day, to economic concerns, saying it sent “a powerful signal” that a low-carbon future and investment in clean energy were both economically viable and could create jobs. Republican opponents of the deal were, however, quick to voice their disapproval, Senator Jim Inhofe emphasising that “the United States is not legally bound to any agreement setting emissions targets or any financial commitment to it without approval by Congress”.
Obama acknowledged criticism of the deal at home – among environmentalists and scientists as well as Republicans in Congress – and abroad when he said it “was not perfect” and said: “The problem’s not solved because of this accord.” In a seven-minute address from the White House, the president cited the US agreement with China on carbon in 2014 as a “foundation for success in Paris”.
He also repeatedly linked the deal, which was announced earlier in the day, to economic concerns and his administration’s record on environmental legislation and employment, saying it sent “a powerful signal” that a low-carbon future and investment in clean energy were both economically viable and could create jobs.
Beginning his address, Obama said the deal answered the need for “an enduring global agreement that reduces carbon pollution and sets the world on course to a low-carbon future”.
“We met the moment,” the president said.
“I want to thank the people of nearly 200 nations, large and small, developed and developing, for working together to construct a deal for the people of all nations.”
But he added: “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.
“In 2009, we helped salvage a chaotic Copenhagen summit and establish the principle that all countries had a role to play in combating climate change. We then led by example with historic investments in growing industries like wind and solar, creating a new and steady stream of middle-class jobs.”
Referrring to clean air standards released in June 2014, he said: “We’ve set the first ever nationwide minimum standards of carbon pollution power plants can dump into the air our children breathe.”
Obama acknowledged criticism of the deal at home – among environmentalists and scientists as well as Republicans in Congress – and abroad when he said it “was not perfect” and said that “even if all the initial targets set in Paris are met, we’ll only be part of the way there when it comes to reducing carbon from the atmosphere”.
“The problem’s not solved because of this accord,” he said. “But make no mistake, the Paris agreement establishes the enduring framework the world needs to solve the climate crisis. It creates the mechanism, the architecture, for us to continue to tackle this problem in an effective way.”
The provisions of the Paris accord are voluntary – a necessary step to stop the Republican-controlled US Congress from killing it.The provisions of the Paris accord are voluntary – a necessary step to stop the Republican-controlled US Congress from killing it.
Instead, Obama said the deal would provide “the enduring framework the world needs” to combat and reduce the effects of climate change. On Saturday, James Hansen, the scientist seen by many as the father of global awareness of climate change, told the Guardian: “It’s a fraud really, a fake … It’s just worthless words. There is no action, just promises.”
More follows Related: James Hansen, father of climate change awareness, calls Paris talks 'a fraud'
Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican who is chair of the Senate environment and public works committee, famously brought a snowball into the Senate chamber as proof that climate change is not real. On Saturday, he indicated the strength of Congressional opposition to Obama and the Paris accord when he released a strongly worded statement.
“The news remains the same,” he said. “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.”
Undeterred, Obama concluded: “We may not live to see the full realisation of our achievement, but that’s OK. What matters is that today we can be more confident that this planet is going to be in better shape for the next generation, and that’s what I care about.
“… Today, thanks to strong, principled American leadership, that’s the world that we’ll leave to our children. A world that is safer, more secure, more prosperous and more free.”