Climate Change Finally Addressed by Obama

Environmental groups have criticized President Barack Obama for his lack of a response on climate change. Four years later, he has finally vowed to make the issue a priority in his second term.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Obama didn't go into many specifics. However, he was emphatic of climate change. In the address, he said "We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations."

It's not surprising that Obama addressed the issue of climate change, though. The year 2012 was the hottest on record for the continental U.S. In addition, large storms such as Sandy and the recent droughts have been attributed to a change in climate.

While Obama has indeed formally addressed the issue of climate change, he remained sufficiently vague on the topic of what he's going to do about it during his term.  However, he did mention the use of sustainable energy sources in order to preserve the environment.

Although the president mentioned climate change in his first inaugural address, his plan for it became derailed about midway through his first term. An energy reform bill ultimately stalled in the Senate, and Obama turned his attention to more pressing matters- such as his flailing health reform.

While Obama's inaugural address may not go into specifics, it does hint that he plans on once again turning his attention to energy reformation and the environment. Whether or not he succeeds, though, is another matter.