Climate change, which President Barack Obama has said poses a greater existential threat than terrorism, also happens to be one of the biggest opportunities for profit, the president told National Geographic this week.
In an interview published Thursday, Obama said that reducing climate-altering emissions "represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of the 21st century."
"Rapid advancements in clean energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon energy technologies are creating jobs, stimulating investment, and spurring innovation, proving that there does not have to be a conflict between a sound environment and strong economic growth," he told National Geographic in the written interview. "Moving to a low-carbon economy is creating new industries and unlocking cleaner forms of affordable and reliable American-made energy."
Obama acknowledged that the United States simply isn't ready to abandon fossil fuels just yet, though, and must prepare for inevitable ecological changes, pointing to the likelihood of "more frequent and more severe droughts in the West in the future" as an example.
When asked why his administration is considering expanding the areas available for fossil fuel extracting, Obama replied, "The reality is that we will continue to rely in part on fossil fuels while we transition to a low-carbon economy."
"Safe and responsible development of our domestic energy resources has benefits for our economy, jobs, and enhanced global energy security."
Obama took time on Earth Day Wednesday to poke fun at lawmakers who are skeptical of climate change science, saying that climate change "can't be edited out."
"It can't be omitted from the conversation. And action can no longer be delayed," Obama said during a speech in the Florida Everglades, reported NPR.
Obama told National Geographic that he is "always eager to work with Congress to strengthen and improve our environmental safeguards," but if lawmakers aren't willing to work with him, he will do what's necessary to implement his own climate change policies. That includes incorporating climate protections in trade agreements, implementing limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and entering into international climate accords, according to The Hill.
"Where Congress doesn't act and my administration has the authority to make progress on important issues, from climate change to other public health threats, I will move to make progress," he said.
"Science has also been central to helping us meet our greatest challenges, from economic growth to improving health care to keeping our homeland safe. So it's up to us to keep nurturing and cultivating the curiosity and ingenuity that make discovery possible."
