State of the Union 2015: Obama calls out climate skeptics, urges expansion of educational opportunity, civility

President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress to give his official report on the State of the Union (Credit/Official White House photo by Amanda Lucidon)

A common refrain from skeptics of the severity of humanity’s contribution to climate change over the past year is “I’m not a scientist.” During his 2015 State of the Union address, President Obama responded to that sentiment head on, suggesting climate skeptics should actually get to know some scientists and suggested a few places they could go to find them, including institutions within their own communities.

“Well, I’m not a scientist, either.  But you know what, I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and at NOAA, and at our major universities,” said President Obama.  “And the best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we don’t act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration and conflict and hunger around the globe.”

The president used the Oct. 2014 Department of Defense report on climate change to reaffirm the urgency of tackling the issue and the various actions he’s taken to protect public lands and waters and build international support to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security.  We should act like it,” he said.

President Obama also called for Congress to find common ground on how to pay for federal investments that stimulate innovation and job creation, including scientific research.

“Now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there’s bipartisan support in this chamber.  Members of both parties have told me so.  Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments.”

The president suggested Congress increase federal revenue by closing tax loopholes that disproportionately benefit large corporations.

The president also touched on his plan to expand access to community college, which he stated is the route that 40 percent of college students have taken when they pursue higher education.

“Tennessee, a state with Republican leadership, and Chicago, a city with Democratic leadership, are showing that free community college is possible.  I want to spread that idea all across America, so that two years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today,” said the president.

In a more somber and reflective moment, President Obama acknowledged that he hadn’t lived up to his 2008 presidential campaign pledge to foster more unity and break the partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill. Even still, citing recent cases where Americans have remained optimistic in the face of adversity, he challenged lawmakers to “better reflect America’s hopes.”

“If you share the broad vision I outlined tonight, I ask you to join me in the work at hand,” said the president. “If you disagree with parts of it, I hope you’ll at least work with me where you do agree.  And I commit to every Republican here tonight that I will not only seek out your ideas, I will seek to work with you to make this country stronger.”

Click here to read the full State of the Union address.