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The President: Hi everybody.
Later this month, I'm going to Alaska.
And I'm going because Alaskans are on the front
lines of one of the greatest challenges we face
this century: climate change.
You see, climate change once
seemed like a problem for future generations, but for
most Americans, it's already a reality.
Deeper droughts, longer wildfire seasons,
some of our cities even flood at high tide.
In Alaska, glaciers are melting.
The hunting and fishing upon which generations have depended
for the way of life and for their jobs are being threatened.
Storm surges once held at bay now endanger entire villages.
As Alaskan permafrost melts, some homes are
even sinking into the ground.
The state's God-given natural treasures are all at risk.
When I'm there, I'll meet with Americans who are dealing with
climate change every day, and I'll talk with other nations
about how we can tackle this challenge together.
I hope you'll follow along at Whitehouse.gov/Alaska because
what's happening in Alaska isn't just a preview of
what will happen to the rest of us if we don't take action,
it's our wake up call.
The alarm bells are ringing, and as long
as I'm President, America will lead the world to
meet this threat before it's too late.