How Much of Your Legacy do You Want to be About Climate Change?

This is one of the many reasons why I admire US Pres. Barack Obama. His wisdom. Apparently, he is a good speaker. I believe he is naturally a man of good judgment and intentions. When asked, "How much of your legacy do you want to be about climate change?" his response made me "tear up" too.

"In terms of my own legacy, I think about it this way: Malia is 17, Sasha is 14. Every once in a while, I tear up thinking about how fast it’s gone and they’re about to go. And I do picture that, if I’m lucky and I have enough years left—and I’m in no rush on this, but 20 years from now, let’s say, and I’m still around, I’ve got some grandkids—I want to be able to take my little grandson or granddaughter on a walk to the park and know that the planet is in pretty good shape. And I want to feel like I contributed to that. And when I’m holding that little hand or pushing that kid on a swing and I look up at the sky and I know that it’s okay—that little kid may not know that there was an alternative future there that could have been grim. He may not know that there was the possibility that we had really catastrophic changes in the climate. And that’s fine with me. If he or she are able to enjoy that sunny day and feel good about it, and breathe clean air, and go swimming in an ocean, and I can watch them play—that will be a pretty good legacy. I’ll feel pretty good about that." —President Obama

He replied in a way that can be easily grasped by the common people. It was a response that will hit the heart of all members of the family, regardless of status quo, who are/should get involved in this global issue which is climate change. He doesn't want his presidency or fame to be his legacy. He wants something that money can't buy. It's the safety of his descendants... and ours.

Maybe if it's something that can be earned, he would work over time to achieve the legacy that he wants. But it's not. We work so hard to give our kids everything they need/want, to save for their future, to insure their health and education, etc. We try to be as good as we can, helping other people, doing charity, and lead a balance life - family and work, thinking that they are best legacy that we can leave for them.

Let's listen to him and to what our nature has been trying to tell us. It's time that we change our mindset. It's about "thinking outside the box" and "seeing the bigger picture" like we haven't done before. It's farther, and wider, and longer.

"In terms of my own legacy, I think about it this way: Malia is 17, Sasha is 14. Every once in a while, I tear up thinking about how fast it’s gone and they’re about to go. And I do picture that, if I’m lucky and I have enough years left—and I’m in no rush on this, but 20 years from now, let’s say, and I’m still around, I’ve got some grandkids—I want to be able to take my little grandson or granddaughter on a walk to the park and know that the planet is in pretty good shape. And I want to feel like I contributed to that. And when I’m holding that little hand or pushing that kid on a swing and I look up at the sky and I know that it’s okay—that little kid may not know that there was an alternative future there that could have been grim. He may not know that there was the possibility that we had really catastrophic changes in the climate. And that’s fine with me. If he or she are able to enjoy that sunny day and feel good about it, and breathe clean air, and go swimming in an ocean, and I can watch them play—that will be a pretty good legacy. I’ll feel pretty good about that." —President Obama speaking to CBS This Morning #ActOnClimate #COP21

Posted by The White House on Friday, December 4, 2015