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President Obama Visiting Everglades National Park On Earth Day To Draw Attention To Climate Change

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President Barack Obama is turning to Everglades National Park to serve as a backdrop for an Earth Day discussion of climate change and the impacts it would bring to the United States.

"Wednesday is Earth Day, a day to appreciate and protect this precious planet we call home. And today, there’s no greater threat to our planet than climate change," the president said during his weekly radio address this past weekend. "2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record. Fourteen of the 15 hottest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century. This winter was cold in parts of our country – as some folks in Congress like to point out – but around the world, it was the warmest ever recorded.

"And on Earth Day, I’m going to visit the Florida Everglades to talk about the way that climate change threatens our economy. The Everglades is one of the most special places in our country. But it’s also one of the most fragile. Rising sea levels are putting a national treasure – and an economic engine for the South Florida tourism industry – at risk," he added. "So climate change can no longer be denied – or ignored. The world is looking to the United States – to us – to lead. And that’s what we’re doing. We’re using more clean energy than ever before. America is number one in wind power, and every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008. We’re taking steps to waste less energy, with more fuel-efficient cars that save us money at the pump, and more energy-efficient buildings that save us money on our electricity bills."

In light of the president's visit, some areas of the park will be closed temporariy. Beginning midnight on Tuesday through 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the park headquarters building, the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, and Royal Palm (Anhinga Trail) will be closed. On Wednesday the Main Park Road will be closed from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., between the main entrance located near Homestead to the turn off to the Long Pine Key Campground. Other park facilities will remain open but staff and visitors will not be able to access facilities or the road in the closed areas during this three-hour period.

Operations of the Flamingo District and other areas in the park south of Long Pine Key will not be affected, but those entering the area for the day should plan for this short term road closure. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy other areas of the park located off of U.S. Highway 41 at Shark Valley and the Gulf Coast District, which will not be affected.

 

 

Comments

Would expect no less from the most dishonest president in modern history. He is making us the laughing stock of the world. 


The Everglades will be the front lines of the climate change problems. Eventually, most of the park will be underwater.

Danny Bernstein

www.hikertohiker.com

 

 


The longest running tide gauge in Florida, Fernandina, shows that sea level rose the fastest (4.5 mm/yr) for the 30 year period ending in 1953. For the last 30 years the rate has been 1.0 mm/yr. Over all since 1898 the acceleration of sea level rise at the the Fernandina tide gauge has been negative. (-0.01 mm/yr²). 

The Everglades might be underwater in the next couple hundred years, but not from the hoax of climate change.


Beachdumb, I would expect you to understand about being laughing stock. The man you call 'dishonest' got us out of the wars that THE most dishonest President got us into.  Perhaps try to back it down and discuss the topic of the thread rationally?


http://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/cceffectsslrinpark.htm

An interesting summary of the effects of sea level rise on the Everglades.


Rick, your wrong, this president takes the top honor. His getting out has worked so well that now we're in more danger than before. Did read my other post about sea level rise? Are you really that clueless?


 It is unclear whether or not these species can tolerate the increased salinity that will come as sea level continues to rise due to climate change.

Owen, I would suspect species would adapt as they have before we were even here. Since there is no acceleration of sea level it shouldnt be an issue. I guess this false alarmism gives the NPS something to do?


I've read a lot of your and other denialist's screeds. I'll go ahead and side with the majority of the scientists on climate change. Well, that and what I see happening all around me here in Alaska. You go ahead and have fun coloring your charts though.


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