- Hillary
Clinton « Climate
Change
Speech
July 27, 2015
For more information on the goals Clinton laid out in her video and how she believes the U.S. can achieve them, read the fact sheet on The Briefing here.
A full transcript of Hillary Clinton’s remarks at DART Central Station in Des Moines, Iowa, is below.
“Thank you so very much. Thank you. Thanks for the great tour, which I really appreciated having the chance to look around this impressive building and learning about everything that is being done here. The DART Central Station a LEED Platinum certified building. That’s the highest rating available, and so everyone who contributed to that, I really applaud.
“As Elizabeth was saying, the numbers are impressive: A quarter of the construction materials were recycled. More than a million gallons of rainwater have been cleaned and reused, leading to big savings in water consumption. Rooftop solar panels have reduced carbon emissions and saved money. 78 geothermal wells were dug and are now producing the energy for heating and cooling.
“There is just so much to admire in this building and what it stands for, and it’s the kind of innovation and progress we want to see all over America.
“It’s good for our economy, good for the health of our families and communities, and yes, good for our planet.
“Now, I know there are still people who would rather not hear this. Some deny climate change exists at all. Others throw up their hands and say, “Sorry, I’m not a scientist.”
“Well, I’m not a scientist either. That’s why I think it’s important to listen to scientists. It’s important to heed the warnings based on extensive scientific research to see what’s going on here in our own country and certainly around the world.
“The reality of climate change is unforgiving—no matter what the deniers say. Sea levels are rising. Ice caps are melting. Storms, wildfires, and extreme weather are wreaking havoc.
“This is one of the most urgent threats of our time, and we have no choice but to rise and meet it.
“Now, just as this challenge is enormous, so are the opportunities it presents.
“Here in Iowa, you’ve already moved past the old, false choices between protecting our environment and growing the economy. Instead you are thriving by doing both.
“Iowa is leading the nation in wind energy. This year, for the first time, Iowa is producing roughly a third of your total electricity from renewables. And as I like to say as I travel around the country, if Iowa can do it, so can the rest of the country! Look to Iowa to see how this can work.
“With leadership from President Obama, and the ingenuity of entrepreneurs and innovators across our country, we are on our way to a clean energy future.
“We’re showing the world there is no challenge too great for America to tackle.
“But we have to do even more. And we need to do it now. So on day one as President, I will set two ambitious national goals for renewable energy.
“First, we need to have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of my first term.
“Second, we’ll set a 10-year goal of generating enough renewable energy to power every single home in America.
“Not some homes. Not most homes. Every home in America.
“Now, I know these goals will test our capacities, but I know they are within our reach.
“And we’re all going to have to do our part. But that’s who we are as Americans. We don’t hide from change; we harness it.
“And over the next few months, I will lay out a comprehensive agenda for meeting these national goals and going even further to address the broader climate challenge.
“We will make America the world’s clean energy superpower.
“We will develop and deploy the clean energy technologies of the future. Transform our grid to give Americans more control over the energy they produce and consume. And yes, I will defend President Obama’s Clean Power Plant—Clean Power Plan against attacks from Republicans and their corporate backers.
“We’ll launch a Clean Energy Challenge that supports and partners with states, cities, and rural communities that are ready to lead on clean energy.
“We’ll stop the giveaways to big oil companies and extend, instead, tax incentives for clean energy, while making them more cost-effective for both taxpayers and producers.
“We’ll support—and improve—the Renewable Fuel Standard that has been such a success for Iowa and much of rural America.
“And even as we face the threat of climate change head on, we cannot close our eyes to the challenges facing hard-working families in Coal Country, who kept our lights on and our factories running for more than a century. We should guarantee that coal miners and their families get the benefits they’ve earned and the respect they deserve.
“We also have to mobilize an unprecedented global commitment to reduce carbon emissions around the world. And I know firsthand from my time as Secretary of State that America’s ability to lead the world on this issue hinges on our commitment to act ourselves. No country will fall in line just because we tell them to. They need to see us taking significant steps of our own.
“The decisions we make in the next decade can make all of this possible or they can keep us trapped in the past.
“I refuse to turn my back on what is one of the greatest threats and greatest opportunities America faces. I refuse to let those who are deniers, who disagree with what we need to do to rip away all the progress we’ve made and leave our country exposed to the most severe consequences of climate change. America needs to lead this fight, not go MIA.
“That’s why I’m announcing these goals today. It’s why over the course of this campaign, I’m going to keep this challenge front and center. And it’s why, as President, I’ll do everything I can to lead us toward that clean energy future and to work with partners in the state and local level who are doing exactly what we see here in this station and what is being done across Iowa. That’s the kind of positive partnership that I think we need to have and that I will promote and make possible as President.
“Now, I’m happy to answer some questions.”
Clinton: Climate Change is One of the Most 'Urgent Threats of Our Time'
At a LEED Platinum certified facility in Iowa, Hillary Clinton further outlined the first pillar of her climate change agenda today. In a video released last night, Clinton outlined two ambitious goals for boosting clean energy production, pledging that (1) the United States will have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of her first term, and that (2) by 2027, the United States will generate enough clean renewable energy to power every home in America.For more information on the goals Clinton laid out in her video and how she believes the U.S. can achieve them, read the fact sheet on The Briefing here.
A full transcript of Hillary Clinton’s remarks at DART Central Station in Des Moines, Iowa, is below.
“Thank you so very much. Thank you. Thanks for the great tour, which I really appreciated having the chance to look around this impressive building and learning about everything that is being done here. The DART Central Station a LEED Platinum certified building. That’s the highest rating available, and so everyone who contributed to that, I really applaud.
“As Elizabeth was saying, the numbers are impressive: A quarter of the construction materials were recycled. More than a million gallons of rainwater have been cleaned and reused, leading to big savings in water consumption. Rooftop solar panels have reduced carbon emissions and saved money. 78 geothermal wells were dug and are now producing the energy for heating and cooling.
“There is just so much to admire in this building and what it stands for, and it’s the kind of innovation and progress we want to see all over America.
“It’s good for our economy, good for the health of our families and communities, and yes, good for our planet.
“Now, I know there are still people who would rather not hear this. Some deny climate change exists at all. Others throw up their hands and say, “Sorry, I’m not a scientist.”
“Well, I’m not a scientist either. That’s why I think it’s important to listen to scientists. It’s important to heed the warnings based on extensive scientific research to see what’s going on here in our own country and certainly around the world.
“The reality of climate change is unforgiving—no matter what the deniers say. Sea levels are rising. Ice caps are melting. Storms, wildfires, and extreme weather are wreaking havoc.
“This is one of the most urgent threats of our time, and we have no choice but to rise and meet it.
“Now, just as this challenge is enormous, so are the opportunities it presents.
“Here in Iowa, you’ve already moved past the old, false choices between protecting our environment and growing the economy. Instead you are thriving by doing both.
“Iowa is leading the nation in wind energy. This year, for the first time, Iowa is producing roughly a third of your total electricity from renewables. And as I like to say as I travel around the country, if Iowa can do it, so can the rest of the country! Look to Iowa to see how this can work.
“With leadership from President Obama, and the ingenuity of entrepreneurs and innovators across our country, we are on our way to a clean energy future.
“We’re showing the world there is no challenge too great for America to tackle.
“But we have to do even more. And we need to do it now. So on day one as President, I will set two ambitious national goals for renewable energy.
“First, we need to have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of my first term.
“Second, we’ll set a 10-year goal of generating enough renewable energy to power every single home in America.
“Not some homes. Not most homes. Every home in America.
“Now, I know these goals will test our capacities, but I know they are within our reach.
“And we’re all going to have to do our part. But that’s who we are as Americans. We don’t hide from change; we harness it.
“And over the next few months, I will lay out a comprehensive agenda for meeting these national goals and going even further to address the broader climate challenge.
“We will make America the world’s clean energy superpower.
“We will develop and deploy the clean energy technologies of the future. Transform our grid to give Americans more control over the energy they produce and consume. And yes, I will defend President Obama’s Clean Power Plant—Clean Power Plan against attacks from Republicans and their corporate backers.
“We’ll launch a Clean Energy Challenge that supports and partners with states, cities, and rural communities that are ready to lead on clean energy.
“We’ll stop the giveaways to big oil companies and extend, instead, tax incentives for clean energy, while making them more cost-effective for both taxpayers and producers.
“We’ll support—and improve—the Renewable Fuel Standard that has been such a success for Iowa and much of rural America.
“And even as we face the threat of climate change head on, we cannot close our eyes to the challenges facing hard-working families in Coal Country, who kept our lights on and our factories running for more than a century. We should guarantee that coal miners and their families get the benefits they’ve earned and the respect they deserve.
“We also have to mobilize an unprecedented global commitment to reduce carbon emissions around the world. And I know firsthand from my time as Secretary of State that America’s ability to lead the world on this issue hinges on our commitment to act ourselves. No country will fall in line just because we tell them to. They need to see us taking significant steps of our own.
“The decisions we make in the next decade can make all of this possible or they can keep us trapped in the past.
“I refuse to turn my back on what is one of the greatest threats and greatest opportunities America faces. I refuse to let those who are deniers, who disagree with what we need to do to rip away all the progress we’ve made and leave our country exposed to the most severe consequences of climate change. America needs to lead this fight, not go MIA.
“That’s why I’m announcing these goals today. It’s why over the course of this campaign, I’m going to keep this challenge front and center. And it’s why, as President, I’ll do everything I can to lead us toward that clean energy future and to work with partners in the state and local level who are doing exactly what we see here in this station and what is being done across Iowa. That’s the kind of positive partnership that I think we need to have and that I will promote and make possible as President.
“Now, I’m happy to answer some questions.”
###
July 26, 2015
The two goals comprise the first pillars of a comprehensive energy and climate agenda that she will lay out over the coming months. She will discuss her plans for boosting clean energy production in further detail on Monday after touring the LEED Platinum certified Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) Central Station in Iowa.
“We’re all going to have to do our part, but that’s who we are as Americans. We don’t hide from change; we harness it,” Clinton says in the video. “We’re on the cusp of a new era. We can have more choice in the energy we consume and produce. We can create a more open, efficient and resilient grid that connects us, empowers us—improves our health and benefits us all. The decisions we make in the next decade can make all of this possible or they can keep us trapped in the past. We cannot wait any longer. It’s time we stand for a healthier climate, stand for cleaner air, for science, innovation, for our children, for reality, for the future.”
By achieving Clinton’s two goals, the U.S. will expand the amount of installed solar capacity to 140 gigawatts by the end of 2020, a 700 percent increase from current levels. That is the equivalent of having rooftop solar systems on over 25 million homes. The U.S. will generate at least one third of all electricity from renewable sources and add more power generation capacity to the grid than during any decade in American history, from a combination of wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and other forms of renewable electricity, as well as prevent thousands of premature deaths and tens of thousands of asthma attacks each year, meet our national and international climate targets, and move our economy along a path towards deep decarbonization by 2050.
To achieve these goals, Clinton will launch a Clean Energy Challenge that forms a new partnership with states, cities, and rural communities that are ready to lead on clean energy. This Challenge will include: competitive grants and other market-based incentives to empower states to exceed federal carbon pollution standards and accelerate clean energy deployment; awards for communities that successfully cut the red tape that slows rooftop solar installation times and increases costs for businesses and consumers; work with states, cities and rural communities to strengthen grid reliability and resilience, increase consumer choice and improve customer value; and, expand the Rural Utilities Service and other successful USDA programs to help provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy, not just to rural Americans but to the rest of the country as well. She also will fight efforts to roll back the Clean Power Plan, which is a crucial tool in our national strategy to reduce carbon pollution, level the playing field for and increase the deployment of renewable energy, and build a clean energy future
For more information on the goals Clinton laid out in her video and how she believes the U.S. can achieve them, read the fact sheet on The Briefing here.
Below is a transcript of Hillary Clinton’s voiceover in the video:
Future generations will look back and wonder, “what were we thinking?”
I’m just a grandmother with two eyes and a brain and I know what’s happening in the world is going to have a big effect on my daughter and especially on my granddaughter.
It’s hard to believe there are people running for president who still refuse to accept the settled science of climate change. Who would rather remind us they’re not scientists than listen to those who are.
You don’t have to be a scientist to take on this urgent challenge that threatens us all, you just have to be willing to act.
America has made a start in addressing this threat.
The renewable energy industry already prevents as many as 70,000 asthma attacks and 3,000 premature deaths each year.
It created over 50,000 new jobs and drove more than 35 billion dollars in investment last year alone.
But we have to do much more and we have to do it now.
On day one as president, I will set two ambitious national goals that will test our capacities but that I know are within our reach.
First, I will ensure we hit a target of having more that half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of my first term.
Second, we’ll set a 10-year goal of generating enough renewable energy to power every single home in America.
Over the next few months I will lay out a comprehensive agenda to meet the climate challenge and make America the world’s clean energy superpower.
We’re all going to have to do our part, but that’s who we are as Americans. We don’t hide from change; we harness it.
We’re on the cusp of a new era. We can have more choice in the energy we consume and produce. We can create a more open, efficient and resilient grid that connects us, empowers us—improves our health and benefits us all.
The decisions we make in the next decade can make all of this possible or they can keep us trapped in the past. We cannot wait any longer. It’s time we stand for a healthier climate, stand for cleaner air, for science, innovation, for our children, for reality, for the future.
In First Pillar of Comprehensive Climate Change Platform, Clinton States Ambitious Goals for Boosting Renewable Power Production
Today, in a new video released by her campaign, Hillary Clinton announced the first pillars of her comprehensive climate change agenda by setting two ambitious goals for boosting clean energy production in the U.S. First, she pledged that the United States will have more than half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of her first term. Second, she promised to put policies in place to ensure that the United States will generate enough clean renewable energy to power every home in America within ten years of her taking office as president.The two goals comprise the first pillars of a comprehensive energy and climate agenda that she will lay out over the coming months. She will discuss her plans for boosting clean energy production in further detail on Monday after touring the LEED Platinum certified Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) Central Station in Iowa.
“We’re all going to have to do our part, but that’s who we are as Americans. We don’t hide from change; we harness it,” Clinton says in the video. “We’re on the cusp of a new era. We can have more choice in the energy we consume and produce. We can create a more open, efficient and resilient grid that connects us, empowers us—improves our health and benefits us all. The decisions we make in the next decade can make all of this possible or they can keep us trapped in the past. We cannot wait any longer. It’s time we stand for a healthier climate, stand for cleaner air, for science, innovation, for our children, for reality, for the future.”
By achieving Clinton’s two goals, the U.S. will expand the amount of installed solar capacity to 140 gigawatts by the end of 2020, a 700 percent increase from current levels. That is the equivalent of having rooftop solar systems on over 25 million homes. The U.S. will generate at least one third of all electricity from renewable sources and add more power generation capacity to the grid than during any decade in American history, from a combination of wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and other forms of renewable electricity, as well as prevent thousands of premature deaths and tens of thousands of asthma attacks each year, meet our national and international climate targets, and move our economy along a path towards deep decarbonization by 2050.
To achieve these goals, Clinton will launch a Clean Energy Challenge that forms a new partnership with states, cities, and rural communities that are ready to lead on clean energy. This Challenge will include: competitive grants and other market-based incentives to empower states to exceed federal carbon pollution standards and accelerate clean energy deployment; awards for communities that successfully cut the red tape that slows rooftop solar installation times and increases costs for businesses and consumers; work with states, cities and rural communities to strengthen grid reliability and resilience, increase consumer choice and improve customer value; and, expand the Rural Utilities Service and other successful USDA programs to help provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy, not just to rural Americans but to the rest of the country as well. She also will fight efforts to roll back the Clean Power Plan, which is a crucial tool in our national strategy to reduce carbon pollution, level the playing field for and increase the deployment of renewable energy, and build a clean energy future
For more information on the goals Clinton laid out in her video and how she believes the U.S. can achieve them, read the fact sheet on The Briefing here.
Below is a transcript of Hillary Clinton’s voiceover in the video:
Future generations will look back and wonder, “what were we thinking?”
I’m just a grandmother with two eyes and a brain and I know what’s happening in the world is going to have a big effect on my daughter and especially on my granddaughter.
It’s hard to believe there are people running for president who still refuse to accept the settled science of climate change. Who would rather remind us they’re not scientists than listen to those who are.
You don’t have to be a scientist to take on this urgent challenge that threatens us all, you just have to be willing to act.
America has made a start in addressing this threat.
The renewable energy industry already prevents as many as 70,000 asthma attacks and 3,000 premature deaths each year.
It created over 50,000 new jobs and drove more than 35 billion dollars in investment last year alone.
But we have to do much more and we have to do it now.
On day one as president, I will set two ambitious national goals that will test our capacities but that I know are within our reach.
First, I will ensure we hit a target of having more that half a billion solar panels installed across the country by the end of my first term.
Second, we’ll set a 10-year goal of generating enough renewable energy to power every single home in America.
Over the next few months I will lay out a comprehensive agenda to meet the climate challenge and make America the world’s clean energy superpower.
We’re all going to have to do our part, but that’s who we are as Americans. We don’t hide from change; we harness it.
We’re on the cusp of a new era. We can have more choice in the energy we consume and produce. We can create a more open, efficient and resilient grid that connects us, empowers us—improves our health and benefits us all.
The decisions we make in the next decade can make all of this possible or they can keep us trapped in the past. We cannot wait any longer. It’s time we stand for a healthier climate, stand for cleaner air, for science, innovation, for our children, for reality, for the future.
###
Copyright © 2015 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.
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