Due to the raise of awareness of global warming, President Obama’s ‘Climate Action Plan’ is a pledge that by 2020, America would reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the range of 17 percent below 2005, if all other major economies agree to their emissions as well.

Stated beautifully, a part of the action plan states:

“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires and crippling drought and more powerful storms”

-President Obama, Second Inaugural Address, January 2013

While many are trying to reduce their waste, emissions, and enhance their ways of living an eco-friendly life, there are many large companies that also need to change for the better. As the article says, climate change is no longer a distant threat. We are already feeling its impacts across the country and the world with temperature changes, increasing floods and raising food prices. The plan, which consists of many executive actions, has three key pillars:

1. Cutting Carbon Pollution in America: The Obama Administration is putting in place tough new rules to cut carbon pollution to protect children and move our economy toward American-made clean energy sources that will create good jobs and lower home energy bills.
2. Preparing the U.S. for the Impacts of Climate Change: While taking new steps to reduce carbon pollution, we also need to prepare for the impact of a changing climate that are already obvious. Obama Administration will help state and local governments strengthen our roads, bridges and shorelines to better protect people’s homes businesses & a way of life from severe weather.
3. Last but not least: Lead International Efforts to Combat Global Climate Change and Prepare for its Impacts: The U.S.  needs to prepare for climate impacts, and drive progress through the international negotiations.

Climate change represents one of our greatest challenges of our time, but it is a challenge uniquely suited to America’s strengths. Out of the Climate Action Plan, I have chose these three initiatives: Working with other countries to take action to address climate change, protecting our economy and natural resources, and building stronger and safer communities and infrastructure.

One way of engaging other countries to take action on addressing climate change is the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, a high-level forum that brings together 17 countries that account for 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. With major emerging economies, the Obama Administration has sought to intensify bilateral climate cooperation with key major emerging economies through initiatives like the U.S.- China Clean Energy Research Center, along with working with India and Brazil.

As climate change is affecting nearly every aspect of our society, from agriculture and tourism to the health and safety of the citizens to natural resources protecting the economy and natural resources is necessary. The Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior released several studies outlining changing climate poses for agricultural enterprise, forests, water supply, wildlife, and public lands. The Department of Health and Human Services will launch an effort to create sustainable and resilient hospitals in the face of climate change. Born and raised in California, their ‘Reducing Wildfire Risks’ appealed to my eye. With tribes, states, and local governments as partners, the Administration has worked to make landscapes more resistance to wildfires, which are created by heat and drought conditions resulting from climate change. Plans are to expand and prioritize forest and rangeland restoration efforts in order to make natural areas and communities less vulnerable.

Thankfully, many states, cities, and communities are already planning and preparing for the impacts of climate change. I know that were I am from in California, one has a tiny bin for trash and a larger bin for recycling and green waste. Recommendations and tips are always great for any community to flourish and grow.

Lastly, as the article states, the U.S. has made historic progress in the international climate negotiations during the past four years and I as an individual will continue to do my best to keep our environment healthy.