No Climate Change Action, No Peace, Says Obama in Nobel Speech

In his speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama touted the importance of climate change solutions to the cause of peace.  As Grist reports:

It is undoubtedly true that development rarely takes root without security; it is also true that security does not exist where human beings do not have access to enough food, or clean water, or the medicine they need to survive. It does not exist where children cannot aspire to a decent education or a job that supports a family. The absence of hope can rot a society from within.

And that is why helping farmers feed their own people – or nations educate their children and care for the sick – is not mere charity. It is also why the world must come together to confront climate change. There is little scientific dispute that if we do nothing, we will face more drought, famine and mass displacement that will fuel more conflict for decades. For this reason, it is not merely scientists and activists who call for swift and forceful action – it is military leaders in my country and others who understand that our common security hangs in the balance. (Text as prepared for delivery)

Cheers to that statement on this Saturday evening!  On that note, time to pour a glass of wine.  Enjoy the rest of your weekends, and get outside into nature if you can!

I'll be heading out for a hike with Qanuk the collie tomorrow afternoon -- I can't wait to see the waterfalls of Mt. Tam raging after this fresh rain...

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