Blog 126: President Barack Obama Embraces Global Warming In His Second Inaugural Address

By Vernon M. Herron and Joseph Burton

    The danger of Global Warming has been discussed before in previous blogs. 

    In blog 90, we discussed in depth the effect of global warming, changing rainfall patterns, leading shifts in plant and animal populations, rising sea level and an increase in the frequency and severity of tropical storms. 

    Recently, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record was formed. 193 fatalities were recorded. In the USA alone, we saw $52.4 billion in damage, mostly in the East from Florida to Maine including 24 states from Michigan to Wisconsin. New York and New Jersey were crippled with flooding streets, tunnels, subway lines and widespread outages. Some scientists have suggested that hurricane Sandy was made worse by global warming.

    In spite of former Vice President Al Gore’s warning that countries, industries, global leaders and politicians must show responsible leadership and subjugate the profit motive, we heard very little from President Obama during his first term in office about global warming, perhaps fearful of a defeated vote. 

    The President did say in his second inaugural address, “We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.” 

    Hoo-ray, Mr. President, this is good to hear. We will be watching to see how this is programmed.