Today is Earth Day -- the last one I'll celebrate as President. Looking back over the past seven years, I'm hopeful that the work we've done will allow my daughters and all of our children to inherit a cleaner, healthier, and safer planet. But I know there is still work to do.

That's why, today, the United States will join about 170 other countries in signing the Paris Agreement, a historic deal to reduce carbon emissions across the globe.

When Secretary of State John Kerry stands with other countries to support this agreement, we’ll advance a plan that prioritizes the health of our planet and our people. And we’ll come within striking distance of enacting the Paris Agreement years earlier than anyone expected.

This is important because the impact of climate change is real. Last summer, I visited Alaska and stood at the foot of a disappearing glacier. I saw how the rising sea is eating away at shorelines and swallowing small towns. I saw how changes in temperature mean permafrost is thawing and the tundra is burning. So we’ve got to do something about it before it’s too late.

As the world's second-largest source of climate pollution, America has a responsibility to act. The stakes are enormous -- our planet, our children, our future. That's true not just here in America, but all over the world. No one is immune.

That's why, when I ran for this office, I promised I'd work with anyone -- across the aisle or on the other side of the planet -- to combat this threat. It’s why we brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, businesses, and religious organizations to tackle this challenge together. It's why we set the first-ever national fuel efficiency standards for trucks and set new standards for cars. It’s why we made the biggest investment in clean energy in U.S. history. It’s why we put forward a plan to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants. And it’s why in Paris, we rallied countries all over the world to establish a long-term framework to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions -- the first time so many countries had committed to ambitious, nationally determined climate targets.

Now, we're building on that momentum. When all is said and done, today will be the largest one-day signing event in the history of the UN.

Thanks to this agreement, we can be more confident that we'll leave our children a planet worthy of their promise.

That's what this is all about. And that's why today, America is leading the fight against climate change.

President Barack Obama

Our responsibility to act...

• Emissions Planet President Barack Obama Reduce carbon Today is Earth Day
• At 4/24/2016 06:44:00 p.m.
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Since President Obama entered public service, he’s been driven by a simple belief: in America, if you're willing to work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to get ahead and provide opportunities for your family.

That means you should be able to thrive at work and at home -- and that you shouldn't have to dent your paycheck, or risk losing your job, to be a good mom or dad, or care for your aging parent. And if you’re willing to work full time, you definitely shouldn’t be forced to live in poverty.

That's why the President has repeatedly called on Congress and leaders across our country in the public and private sectors to expand family-friendly workplace policies, such as paid family leave, paid sick days, equal pay for equal work, affordable child care, and a higher minimum wage.

We're thrilled that today, New York State answered the call and took an important step forward for working families when Governor Cuomo signed a budget that included paid family leave and an increase in the minimum wage.

With these measures, New York became the first state to create a paid family leave program since President Obama urged states to take action in 2014, as well as the 18th state to raise its minimum wage since he urged Congress to act in 2013.

The President knows working families cannot wait for Congress to move our country forward. That's why he's made progress on his own by raising the minimum wage for employees of federal contractors, strengthening overtime protections, and protecting employees of federal contractors from being retaliated against by their bosses if they discuss their wages.

Americans shouldn’t need to choose between their families and making ends meet. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s and the state legislature’s leadership, New Yorkers will now move closer to never having to face that choice, by creating a culture that rewards hard work and empowers families.

I hope you’ll join us in celebrating this accomplishment.

Thanks for everything you do,

Valerie

Valerie Jarrett
Senior Advisor
The White House

This is an important step forward for working families:

• Congress Politics President Barack Obama The White House
• At 4/04/2016 07:43:00 p.m.
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Today, President Obama spoke at the Islamic Society of Baltimore -- his first visit to a mosque in America -- on protecting our nation's tradition of religious freedom.

Watch the full remarks now:

Here are some highlights:

"If we’re serious about freedom of religion -- and I’m speaking now to my fellow Christians who remain the majority in this country -- we have to understand an attack on one faith is an attack on all our faiths. And when any religious group is targeted, we all have a responsibility to speak up. And we have to reject a politics that seeks to manipulate prejudice or bias, and targets people because of religion."

"We can’t be bystanders to bigotry. And together, we’ve got to show that America truly protects all faiths."

"I want to speak directly to the young people who may be listening. In our lives, we all have many identities. We are sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters. We’re classmates; Cub Scout troop members. We’re followers of our faith. We’re citizens of our country. And today, there are voices in this world, particularly over the Internet, who are constantly claiming that you have to choose between your identities -- as a Muslim, for example, or an American. Do not believe them. If you’re ever wondering whether you fit in here, let me say it as clearly as I can, as President of the United States: You fit in here -- right here. You’re right where you belong. You’re part of America, too. You’re not Muslim or American. You’re Muslim and American."

"We are one American family. We will rise and fall together. It won’t always be easy. There will be times where our worst impulses are given voice. But I believe that ultimately, our best voices will win out. And that gives me confidence and faith in the future."

Watch C full speech on religious freedom:

• America Islamic Society President Barack Obama Religious
• At 2/06/2016 04:55:00 p.m.
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On Tuesday, my husband will deliver his seventh and final State of the Union address. He'll be talking about making things better for you and your family right now -- and he'll also be sharing his vision for how, together we can make this country a better place for the next generation, and generations to come. That's been his mission since the day he took office, and he'll be doing everything he can with every minute he has left as President to deliver on behalf of the American people. This speech is for you, and we want to know you'll be there watching. Say you'll join me and millions of other Americans on Tuesday to watch the State of the Union. Each year, I have the honor of attending this address with a few of the many Americans who have inspired Barack -- and this year is no exception. Braeden Mannering, after attending the White House Kids' "State Dinner," started his own nonprofit to provide healthy food to homeless and low-income individuals in his community. Formerly homeless Navy veteran Cindy Dias works with Veterans Village, a non-profit that has answered our Joining Forces call to End Veterans' Homelessness in Las Vegas. Oscar Vasquez, an immigrant from Mexico, fought for the right to become an American citizen so that he could fulfill his dream of joining the U.S. Army. Refaai Hamo, a scientist and cancer survivor, fled Syria with his family hoping to "make a lasting contribution to humanity." You can see all the inspiring people who will be joining me. Read their stories and watch them receive their invitations. That kind of passion and perseverance are at the heart of this great country. And while we have made so much progress, there's so much more left to do to ensure all Americans have the opportunities they deserve to get ahead. That's what my husband will be talking about on Tuesday. So let us know you'll be watching. RSVP here on Facebook and then check out WhiteHouse.gov/SOTU on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET to watch the President's final address to the nation. Thanks so much, First Lady Michelle Obama

• Politics President Barack Obama State of The Union White House Kids
• At 1/13/2016 05:25:00 p.m.
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As Americans, we do what we can to help the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world.

That's why, in addition to the $4.5 billion our government has given to assist those affected by the Syrian crisis, we're working across the board to find more ways to support Syrians in need both abroad and here in the U.S.

There's much more work to do, and Americans across the country are stepping up to do what they can to help Syrians and other refugees in need. 

Join them -- enter your location into this map to find volunteer opportunities at organizations that are helping refugees start fresh in your community.

Businesses and foundations are also engaged in this effort. Kickstarter launched its first-ever non-profit campaign dedicated to humanitarian aid. Airbnb offered free housing credits to aid workers in the region, Twitter created a feature to allow donations to non-governmental organizations via tweets, and Instacart gave their customers the option of buying food for refugee families. Through InterAction's Hope for Syria fund, nine aid organizations will provide additional lifesaving relief and support to Syrian refugees rebuilding their shattered lives.

#GivingTuesday is a movement that shows the impact we can have when we all pull together. And this holiday season, it's an opportunity to recommit to our country's proud tradition of providing support to the most vulnerable -- and to challenge ourselves to continue being as generous as we can in meeting their needs.

As the President said, to slam the door in refugees' faces, to decide not to help when we know that we can help, would be a betrayal of our values.

Take a minute to see if there are ways you can devote your skills and energy to help refugees in need in your area:

https://www.aidrefugees.gov

More ways you can help this #GivingTuesday:

• Crisis politic President Barack Obama Refugees Syria Syrians
• At 12/08/2015 06:16:00 p.m.
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The President is touring through Alaska this week, meeting with residents of the state and seeing the effects of climate change on the ground. He's sharing what he sees along the way. Read his entry from yesterday below, and follow along with the trip here.

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Hi, everyone — checking in on day two. Right off the bat, I’ll note that I’ve got to come back here once I’m done being President.

You just can’t see Alaska in three days.

I spent the day hiking through Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park — where the mountains collide with the ocean and fields of ice. When the team handed over the camera, I did my best to do this place justice:

Visitors from around the world come here to see its Harding Icefield — one of the largest ice fields in the United States — covering hundreds of square miles. As the climate warms, glaciers are shrinking more and more rapidly — and throughout the park, there are signs marking where the glacier line used to be.

This is as good of a signpost as any when it comes to the impacts of climate change.

I also had the chance to tour the area by boat and experience the beauty and wildlife of Resurrection Bay. It was spectacular to see the horizon of ice and snow, but it’s melting. And if we don’t act, this simply won’t be here for future generations to enjoy.

Glaciers in Alaska, and the greater Arctic, are shrinking and it’s changing the way Alaskans live. And considering the Arctic’s unique role in influencing the global climate, it will accelerate changes to the way that we all live. Since 1979, the summer sea ice in the Arctic has decreased by more than 40%, a decrease that has dramatically accelerated over the past two decades.

One new study estimates that Alaska’s glaciers alone lose about 75 gigatons — that’s 75 billion tons — of ice each year. What does a gigaton look like? To put that in perspective, one scientist described a gigaton of ice as a block the size of the National Mall in Washington — from Congress all the way to the Lincoln Memorial, four times as tall as the Washington Monument. Now imagine 75 of those ice blocks. That’s what Alaska’s glaciers alone lose…each year.

And the pace of melting is only getting faster.

It’s now twice what it was between 1950 and 2000 — twice as fast as it was just a little over a decade ago. And it’s one of the reasons why sea levels rose by about eight inches over the last century, and why they’re projected to rise another one to four feet this century.

If we do nothing, temperatures in Alaska are projected to rise between six and 12 degrees by the end of the century, triggering more melting, more fires, more thawing of the permafrost, a negative feedback loop, a cycle — warming leading to more warming — that we do not want to be a part of.

The fact is that climate is changing faster than our efforts to address it. That must change — and we’re not acting fast enough.

Alaska: Day 2

• Alaska Glaciers politic President Barack Obama United States
• At 9/03/2015 09:34:00 a.m.
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