Obama's Commencement Speech

At UC Irvine’s graduation ceremony on Saturday June 14, President Obama gave the commencement speech. The ceremony took place at Angels Stadium and was UC Irvine’s 50^th anniversary commencement ceremony.

Obama took this moment to address the ongoing debates in regards to climate change. In his speech he pointed out the congressional Republicans and all those who simply dispute climate change and stated that their disputes posed a threat to the future.

"They say when they're asked about climate change, 'Hey, look, I'm not a scientist,' " Obama said to applause."I'll translate that for you. What that really means is: 'I know that man-made climate change really is happening, but if I admit it I'll be run out of town by a radical fringe that thinks climate science is a liberal plot, so I'm not going to admit it."

Obama admitted that he preferred to hear people who believe climate change is a hoax over those who simply deny it to protect themselves from losing money or being run out of office. He acknowledged that those who view climate change as a hoax are causing just as much damage as those who are in denial, but he has more respect for them since they say what they think unlike those who deny something they know is true. He mentioned that those who objected President Kennedy’s goals for the space race had never actually denied that the moon existed. As Kennedy, Obama faces the objections of those who do not agree with his goals in making changes that would be beneficial to the environment but unlike Kennedy, those who oppose his goals deny that the issue exists altogether.

To avoid making it appear as if he was attacking the Republican Party he reminded everyone that not all Republicans are reluctant in addressing environmental issues. He cited a quote from the passage of the Clean Air Act under Richard Nixon and mentioned Theodore Roosevelt’s efforts to develop national parks.

During his speech Obama announced the creation of a $1-billion competitive fund for states affected by severe weather, and complimented the audience before him.

 “Since this is a very educated group, you already know the science," he said. "Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide traps heat. Levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere are higher than they have been in 800,000 years.”

He asked the graduates before him whether or not they would be willing to take action and take on the problem that man has created that can ultimately destroy the world we live in. With that being said Obama called on the graduates and all 10,000 people among the audience to get involved in the fight for environmental reform.

“I’m here to tell you that you are right to be optimistic. Consider this, since the time most of you graduated from high school, fewer Americans are at war, more have health insurance, more are graduating from college."

I know not all of you may have agreed with Obama's methods during his term, but I hope that you do at least take the time to acknowledge the affects mankind has had on the environment. Our actions do have consequences and we must take responsibility.