[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9426 of April 21, 2016

Earth Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

On April 22, 1970, millions of people from every corner of our country
joined in common cause to demand basic protections to safeguard our
planet for future generations. The first Earth Day helped transform the
ways we interact with the world around us, and it changed how we view
our impact on the natural world--inspiring the creation of the
Environmental Protection Agency and landmark legislation that protects
the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the animals that live
alongside us. Today, we resolve to build on the progress made in the
nearly half-century since, and we reaffirm our commitment to leaving a
clean, healthy Earth for our children and grandchildren.
Just as the people who came together on Earth Day in 1970 embraced their
responsibility to preserve our planet, today we face a threat that also
requires collective action. Human activity is disrupting the climate,
and the challenge of combating climate change is one that will define
the contours of our time. The effects of climate change are already
evident in stronger storms, deeper droughts, more rapidly eroding soil,
and longer wildfire seasons--and as of last year, 14 of the 15 warmest
years on record have occurred since 2000. This urgent threat will worsen
with each passing year unless we act now.
No country can solve this challenge alone. This Earth Day, nations from
across the globe are gathering in New York to sign an agreement reached
by nearly 200 countries in Paris late last year that establishes

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an enduring framework to reduce global carbon pollution and set the
world on a path to a low-carbon future. Under the Paris Agreement,
countries pledge to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius at most,
and to pursue efforts to keep it below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Science
tells us these levels will help prevent some of the most devastating
impacts of climate change, including more frequent and extreme droughts,
storms, fires, and floods, as well as catastrophic increases in sea
level.
The Paris Agreement demonstrates what is possible when the world is
united by a common concern and a shared purpose. The Agreement sets
ambitious and specific targets for each nation that are necessary to
solving the climate crisis. It applies to all countries, establishes
meaningful accountability and reporting requirements, and brings
countries back to the table every 5 years to grow their commitments as
markets change and technologies improve. It also provides financing
mechanisms so developing economies can move forward using clean energy,
and it creates a collaborative process through which countries can
establish and achieve their targets.
Key to reaching the Paris Agreement was principled American leadership.
Over the past decade, the United States has cut our total carbon
pollution more than any other nation on Earth. We are committed to
upholding our responsibility in the global effort to combat climate
change and protect our planet, and my Administration has taken action to
reduce our carbon pollution and lead the world in transitioning to a
clean energy future. For example, we have made significant investments
in clean energy--since I took Office, the amount of electricity
generated from wind energy has tripled, and the amount generated from
solar energy has increased more than thirtyfold. Last year, I announced
the first set of nationwide standards to end the limitless dumping of
carbon pollution from our country's power plants. To prepare for the
impacts of climate change that we cannot prevent, we are working with
States and cities to help communities build climate-resilient
infrastructure. And I have protected more public lands and waters than
any other President in history--more than 265 million acres.
We each have a role to play in ensuring that we do not pass a world
beyond repair on to our children. Everyone must do their part, and as
long as we unite to protect the one planet we have, we can leave it in
better shape for future generations. On Earth Day, let us all accept our
individual responsibilities to care for the world we live in, and let us
marshal our best efforts toward building a safer, more stable, and more
sustainable world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2016, as
Earth Day. I encourage all Americans to participate in programs and
activities that will protect our environment and contribute to a
healthy, sustainable future.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA