Marc R. Stanley, Chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), released the following statement:
As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, we take this opportunity to raise awareness of the problem of global warming and the need to move America toward energy independence. President Barack Obama has shown a strong commitment to the environment, ending our dependence on Middle East oil, investing in green technologies, and creating green collar jobs. Obama understands that our planet’s health is not only essential to securing the future of the U.S. and the world but also will play an important role in our economic recovery.
The President’s pursuit of a comprehensive environmental policy has never been more essential. As Earth Day approaches, we should remember that protecting the environment is an important Jewish value:
“When G-d created the first human beings, G-d led them around the Garden of Eden and said: ‘Look at my works! See how beautiful they are—how excellent! For your sake I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.’” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah, 1 on Ecclesiastes 7:13)
This is the only earth we have, and we are the only ones who can protect it. NJDC celebrates Obama for not only understanding the importance of protecting our environment but for realizing the strategic and economic necessity of addressing this important issue for our future and our children’s future.
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