奥巴马气候变化演讲

Thank you very much. Good morning. I want to thank the Secretary General for organizing this summit, and all the leaders who are participating. That so many of us are here today is a recognition that the threat from climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing. Our generation’s response to this challenge will be judged by history, for if we fail to meet it -- boldly, swiftly, and together -- we risk consigning future generations to an irreversible catastrophe.
No nation, however large or small, wealthy or poor, can escape the impact of climate change. Rising sea levels threaten every coastline. More powerful storms and floods threaten every continent. More frequent droughts and crop failures breed hunger and conflict in places where hunger and conflict already thrive. On shrinking islands, families are already being forced to flee their homes as climate refugees. The security and stability of each nation and all peoples -- our prosperity, our health, and our safety -- are in jeopardy. And the time we have to reverse this tide is running out.
And yet, we can reverse it. John F. Kennedy once observed that "Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man." It is true that for too many years, mankind has been slow to respond or even recognize the magnitude of the climate threat. It is true of my own country, as well. We recognize that. But this is a new day. It is a new era. And I am proud to say that the United States has done more to promote clean energy and reduce carbon pollution in the last eight months than at any other time in our history.
We are making our government’s largest ever investment in renewable energy -- an investment aimed at doubling the generating capacity from wind and other renewable resources in three years. Across America, entrepreneurs are constructing wind turbines and solar panels and batteries for hybrid cars with the help of loan guarantees and tax credits -- projects that are creating new jobs and new industries. We’re investing billions to cut energy waste in our homes, our buildings, and appliances -- helping American families save money on energy bills in the process.
We’ve proposed the very first national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks -- a standard that will also save consumers money and our nation oil. We’re moving forward with our nation’s first offshore wind energy projects. We’re investing billions to capture carbon pollution so that we can clean up our coal plants. And just this week, we announced that for the first time ever, we’ll begin tracking how much greenhouse gas pollution is being emitted throughout the country.
Later this week, I will work with my colleagues at the G20 to phase out fossil fuel subsidies so that we can better address our climate challenge. And already, we know that the recent drop in overall U.S. emissions is due in part to steps that promote greater efficiency and greater use of renewable energy.
Most importantly, the House of Representatives passed an energy and climate bill in June that would finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy for American businesses and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One committee has already acted on this bill in the Senate and I look forward to engaging with others as we move forward.
Because no one nation can meet this challenge alone, the United States has also engaged more allies and partners in finding a solution than ever before. In April, we convened the first of what have now been six meetings of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate here in the United States. In Trinidad, I proposed an Energy and Climate Partnership for the Americas.
We’ve worked through the World Bank to promote renewable energy projects and technologies in the developing world. And we have put climate at the top of our diplomatic agenda when it comes to our relationships with countries as varied as China and Brazil; India and Mexico; from the continent of Africa to the continent of Europe.
Taken together, these steps represent a historic recognition on behalf of the American people and their government. We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. And we will meet our responsibility to future generations.
But though many of our nations have taken bold action and share in this determination, we did not come here to celebrate progress today. We came because there’s so much more progress to be made. We came because there’s so much more work to be done.
It is work that will not be easy. As we head towards Copenhagen, there should be no illusions that the hardest part of our journey is in front of us. We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation’s most immediate pr iority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work. And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge.
But I’m here today to say that difficulty is no excuse for complacency. Unease is no excuse for inaction. And we must not allow the perfect to become the enemy of progress. Each of us must do what we can when we can to grow our economies without endangering our planet -- and we must all do it together. We must seize the opportunity to make Copenhagen a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change.
We also cannot allow the old divisions that have characterized the climate debate for so many years to block our progress. Yes, the developed nations that caused much of the damage to our climate over the last century still have a responsibility to lead -- and that includes the United States. And we will continue to do so -- by investing in renewable energy and promoting greater efficiency and slashing our emissions to reach the targets we set for 2020 and our long-term goal for 2050.
But those rapidly growing developing nations that will produce nearly all the growth in global carbon emissions in the decades ahead must do their part, as well. Some of these nations have already made great strides with the development and deployment of clean energy. Still, they need to commit to strong measures at home and agree to stand behind those commitments just as the developed nations must stand behind their own. We cannot meet this challenge unless all the largest emitters of greenhouse gas pollution act together. There’s no other way.
We must also energize our efforts to put other developing nations -- especially the poorest and most vulnerable -- on a path to sustained growth. These nations do not have the same resources to combat climate change as countries like the United States or China do, but they have the most immediate stake in a solution. For these are the nations that are already living with the unfolding effects of a warming planet -- famine, drought, disappearing coastal villages, and the conflicts that arise from scarce resources. Their future is no longer a choice between a growing economy and a cleaner planet, because their survival depends on both. It will do little good to alleviate poverty if you can no longer harvest your crops or find
drinkable water.
And that is why we have a responsibility to provide the financial and technical assistance needed to help these nations adapt to the impacts of climate change and pursue low-carbon development.
What we are seeking, after all, is not simply an agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. We seek an agreement that will allow all nations to grow and raise living standards without endangering the planet. By developing and disseminating clean technology and sharing our know-how, we can help developing nations leap-frog dirty energy technologies and reduce dangerous emissions.
Mr. Secretary, as we meet here today, the good news is that after too many years of inaction and denial, there’s finally widespread recognition of the urgency of the challenge before us. We know what needs to be done. We know that our planet’s future dep ends on a global commitment to permanently reduce greenhouse gas pollution. We know that if we put the right rules and incentives in place, we will unleash the creative power of our best scientists and engineers and entrepreneurs to build a better world. And so many nations have already taken the first step on the journey towards that goal.
But the journey is long and the journey is hard. And we don’t have much time left to make that journey. It’s a journey that will require each of us to persevere throug h setbacks, and fight for every inch of progress, even when it comes in fits and starts. So let us begin. For if we are flexible and pragmatic, if we can resolve to work tirelessly in common effort, then we will achieve our common purpose: a world that is safer, cleaner, and healthier than the one we found; and a future that is worthy of our children.
Thank you very much.
多谢诸位。

早上好。

我对组织这次首脑会议的联合国秘书长以及在座的各位领导人表示感谢。

今天有如此众多的代表到会，这表明人们认识到气候变化构成的威胁有多么严重，认识到威胁迫在眉睫，也认识到威胁正日益增长。

我们这一代人应对这一挑战的行动将受到历史的检验，若不能大胆、迅速、齐心协力地应对挑战，就可能将一场无可挽救的灾难留给子孙后代。

任何国家，不论大小，不论贫富，都无法摆脱气候变化的影响。

海平面的上升威胁着每一条海岸线。

日益凶猛的风暴和洪水威胁着每一片大陆。

日趋频繁的干旱和粮荒在饥馑和战乱已然深重的地区进一步加深了灾难。

在面积不断缩小的岛屿上，岛上的住户已经被迫背井离乡，沦为气候难民。

每一个国家和各地人民的安全和稳定——我们的繁荣、我们的健康和我们的安全——危在旦夕。

我们应该力挽狂澜，但时间已所剩无几。

然而，我们能够力挽狂澜。

约翰·F·肯尼迪说过：“我们的问题是人为的，因此可以由人类自己解决。

”毫无疑问，多年以来，对于气候威胁的严重性，人类的应对行动姗姗来迟，人们甚至对问题缺乏充分的认识。

我自己的国家也的确如此。

我们承认这一点。

但新的一天已经到来。

新的时代已经降临。

我可以自豪地说，美国在过去8个月里为提倡清洁能源和降低碳污染所做的工作超过了我国历史上任何一个时期。

我国政府正在对可再生能源进行有史以来规模最大的投资——力争在3年内将风能和其他可再生能源的发电能力提高一倍。

在全美各地，创业者正在利用贷款担保和抵税优惠，组装叶轮机和太阳能板以及供混合动力车使用的电池——这些项目创造了新的就业机会和新兴产业。

我们还投资数十亿美元减少我们的住房、建筑和电器的能源浪费——同时帮助美国家庭节约能源费用。

我们已经提出了有史以来第一项旨在提高所有新出厂的汽车和卡车的燃料效率，同时降低温室气体污染的国策——制定的标准还将帮助消费者省钱并帮助国家节约石油。

我们正在推进我国第一批近海风能项目。

我们投资数十亿美元用于捕获碳污染，以使我们的燃煤工厂变得清洁。

就在这个星期，我们宣布将开始统计全国的温室气体污染排放量，这是有史以来的第一次。

本周晚些时候，我将同G20其他领导人共同努力，分阶段取消矿物燃料补贴，以使我们能够更好地应对气候挑战。

我们已经看到，近期美国总体排放量的下降在某种程度上归功于提高效率和扩大使用可再生能源的措施。

最重要的是，国会众议院今年6月通过了一项能源和气候法案，终于有可能使清洁能源成为美国企业可使用的有益能源，同时也可以大幅度削减温室气体排放。

国会参议院的一个委员会已着手审议这项议案，我期待着在向前推进的过程中同有关方面商谈。

由于任何一个国家都无法单独应对这一挑战，美国与比以往更多的盟友和伙伴接触，以寻找解决方案。

今年4月，我们在美国举行了主要经济体能源和气候论坛第一次会议，该论坛到目前为止共举行了6次会议。

在特立尼达，我提出了美洲国家能源和气候合作计划。

我们通过世界银行在发展中国家推行可再生能源项目和技术。

在同从中国到巴西，从印度到墨西哥，从非洲到欧洲的各个国家和地区的关系中，我们已将气候问题作为外交议程的首要议题。

上述举措多管齐下，体现出美国人民及其政府的一种历史认知。

我们了解气候威胁的严重性。

我们决心采取行动。

我们将尽到对子孙后代的义务。

然而，尽管很多国家已经采取了有魄力的行动，同时在这个问题上也有共同的意志，但我们今天来到这里不是要庆贺成功。

我们来到这里是因为还有许多进展有待实现。

我们来到这里是因为还有很多工作有待完成。

这方面的工作并不容易。

随着哥本哈根会议的临近，我们最艰难的道路就在前方，对此不应该抱任何幻想。

在全球陷入衰退之际，我们寻求全面但必要的变革。

每一个国家最紧迫
的任务是重振国民经济，让本国人民重回工作岗位。

为此，在努力为应对气候变化寻求长远之计的同时，我们在各国首都会面临疑虑和困难。

来源:考试大- 口译笔译然而，今天我在这里表示，不能因为有困难而甘于现状。

不能因为存在忧虑而无所作为。

我们不能因为无法面面俱到而放弃取得进展的努力。

我们每一个人都必须在可能的情况下全力以赴，在不危害我们这个星球的前提下促进我们的经济增长，我们必须共同努力。

我们必须抓住时机，促使哥本哈根会议为全球抗击气候变化迈出重要的一大步。

我们也不能听任过去多年来在气候变化问题上反复出现的意见分歧阻挠我们取得进展。

当然，一个世纪以来，曾给我们的气候造成诸多破坏的发达国家仍有义务发挥主导作用。

我们将继续这么做——为可再生能源投资，提高能源效率，降低我们的排放量，实现我们为2020年制定的目标以及为2050年制定的长远目标。

然而，在未来几十年内，增长迅速的发展中国家将几乎成为全球碳排放量所有增长部分的来源，这些国家也必须尽自己的一份力量。

其中一些国家已经为发展和使用清洁能源迈出重要步伐。

然而，这些国家仍需承诺在国内采取严厉的措施，同意坚持履行有关义务，如同发达国家也必须坚持履行自己的义务一样。

所有的温室气体排放大国必须采取共同行动，否则我们就无法迎接这一挑战。

我们别无选择。

我们还必须加紧努力，使其他发展中国家，特别是最贫困和最孱弱的国家走上可持续增长的道路。

这些国家不如美国或中国那样拥有抗击气候变化的同样资源，但是与问题的解决有着最直接的利害关系。

因为这些国家已经承受了全球变暖造成的持续影响，如饥荒和旱灾；海岸村庄的消失以及因为资源稀缺导致的冲突。

这些国家的未来不再是两者择其一，经济增长或者提高地球的清洁程度，因为其生存取决于两者的共同实现。

人们如果不能再收获庄稼或得到饮水，对减轻贫困就毫无助益。

这就是为什么我们有责任提供必要的财务和技术援助，帮助这些国家适应气候变化造成的影响，并寻求低碳排放量的发展道路。

我们正在寻求的目标毕竟不只是一项限制温室气体排放的协议。

我们寻求达成的协议将使所有的国家在不危害地球的情况下实现增长和提高生活水平。

通过发展和推广洁净技术并分享我们的专门知识，我们可帮助发展中国家跨跃肮脏能源技术的阶段，减少排放有害气体。

秘书长先生，我们今天在这里举行会议之际，好消息是：经过这么多年的无所作为与拒不承认以后，人们最终对我们面临挑战的迫切性有了普遍认识。

我们知道需要做些什么。

我们知道，我们地球的未来取决于全球对永久性降低温室气体污染的承诺。

我们知道，我们如果实施正确的规章和激励措施，就将促使我们最优秀的科学家、工程师和企业家为改善全世界的面貌建发挥自己的创造力。

在朝着这个目标前进的征途上，已经有许许多多的国家迈出了第一步。

但这条路不仅漫长，这条路也十分艰辛。

为了奔赴征程，我们剩余的时间已经不多。

在这条征途上，我们每一个人都需要在遇到挫折的时候毫不气馁，为取得任何一点进展——即使是零零星星的进展——而努力奋进。

因此让我们现在就开始。

因为如果我们既灵活变通又脚踏实地，如果我们坚持不懈共同努力，我们就能实现我们共同的目标：一个比我们现在看到的更安全、更清洁和更健康的世界；一个无愧于我们子孙后代的未来。

谢谢大家。