Inauguration Day Inspiration

The fact that the threat of climate change and how to tackle it played a role in Obama's speech today was very encouraging. He reaffirmed what we all believe when he said that

"Each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet".

Obama even hinted about his plans to invest in renewable energy, when he stated that

"We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories".

He also spoke of how his administration will

"work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the spectre of a warming planet".

All signs point towards a real gear-shift in America's position on climate change and technological progress.

So, what will it take to accomplish this?

"What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task."

Obama took it a step further when he described just what kind of people it takes to achieve progress and change. A characterization we can all identify with!

"Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor."

And, of course, "This is the journey we continue today."

Excerpts taken from President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address.