Climate change can no longer be denied, says Obama from the Everglades on Earth Day

President Barack Obama held up the shrinking Florida Everglades today as proof positive that climate change is real and is threatening America's 'national treasures,' as well as the economies of their surrounding towns, which rely heavily on tourist dollars.

'Climate change can no longer be denied. It can’t be edited out,' he said this afternoon in a speech at Everglades National Park commemorating Earth Day. 'It can’t be omitted from the conversation. And action can no longer be delayed.'  

'That’s why I’ve committed the United States to lead the world in combatting this threat,' he said, throwing a spotlight on his administration's efforts to reduce the rate of global warming through the reduction of carbon emissions.

The day trip to South Florida, on which Obama was accompanied by Bill Nye 'the Science Guy,' also highlighted the massive amount of fuel it takes to power Air Force One, however, 9,000 gallons, round trip.

President Barack Obama takes a walking tour of the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park. Obama visited the subtropical swamps of the park today as part of a push to get Americans thinking and talking about the damage climate change is causing close to home

Obama held up the shrinking Florida Everglades today as proof positive that climate change is real and is threatening America's 'national treasures,' as well as the economies of their surrounding towns, which rely heavily on tourist dollars

I love the smell of jet fuel, Nye told reporters as he waited to board the president's 747 this morning for the flight to Florida, during which the White House said he would film a video with Obama.

Asked earlier this week if Obama's gas-guzzling trip to Florida would undermine his Earth Day message, the White House said it would not and reaffirmed Obama's efforts to reduce pollutants.

Obama took a half -hour walking tour of the the Anhinga Trail at the 1.5-million-acre national park today before making a plea for Americans to save the Everglades and other natural gems by making environmentally-conscious decisions.

'I can’t think of a better way to spend Earth Day than in one of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, the Everglades,' he told his audience, calling the swamp, which he acknowledged is not technically a swamp, 'magical.'  

'Climate change is threatening this treasure and the communities that depend on it,' Obama warned. 'If we don't act,there may not be an Everglades as we know it.' 

The president said the fallout from rising temperatures is 'not a problem for another generation.'

At least, 'not anymore,' he said. 'This is a problem now. It has serious implications for the way we live right now.'

Obama said the rising sea level in South Florida and inward flow of salt water is evidence that climate change is already having a negative effect on communities.

'This is not some impossible problem that we cannot solve. We can solve it if we’ve got some political will,' he said. 'And we can solve it in a way that creates jobs. We can solve it in a way that doesn’t disrupt our economy but enhances our economy. And it’s a bipartisan issue.'

'That’s why I’ve committed the United States to lead the world in combatting this threat,' he said, throwing a spotlight on his administration's efforts to reduce the rate of global warming through the reduction of carbon emissions

An alligator is spotted sunning itself along the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park as Obama took a tour

Wiping sweat from his brow as he braved the subtropical temperatures to make his mark on Earth Day, the president mingled with crowd-goers at the mid-day event before returning to Washington on Air Force One.

Previewing the day trip, the White House had reiterated Obama's belief that 'no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.'

It's statement pointed out that last year was the warmest year on record and that 14 of the 15 of earth's hottest years happened this century.

It said, 'Climate change is also affecting some of the most iconic places in our country, from disappearing glaciers in Glacier National Park to dying Joshua Trees in Joshua Tree National Park.'

'Recognized worldwide as a unique and treasured landscape, the Everglades is a perfect example of the threat we face from climate change, including rising sea levels that result in shoreline erosion and increased flooding.'

Obama said it is this generation's 'turn to ensure that' natural monuments remain the 'birthright of all Americans for generations to come.'

Wiping sweat from his brow as he braved the subtropical temperatures to make his mark on Earth Day, the president mingled with crowd-goers at the mid-day event before returning to Washington on Air Force One

The White House also asserted that climate change was already displacing animals and plants, including tropical orchids, some of which are only found in south Florida.' 

'We are blessed with the most beautiful God-given landscape in the world,' the president said today. 'It’s an incredible bounty that’s been given to us. But we’ve got to be good stewards for it. We have to take care of it.'

Obama said it is this generation's 'turn to ensure that' natural monuments remain the 'birthright of all Americans for generations to come.'

'So many people here are active in your communities, doing what’s needed. The young people who are here, the next generation, they’re way ahead of us in understanding how important this is

'Let’s make sure we don’t disappoint them. Let’s stand up and do what’s right before it’s too late,' he concluded.  

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