We know we must address climate change. We may not have sorted out every detail, but we are willing to take a leadership position and embrace open dialogue...that will get us all to our common goals of protecting our world for future generations.

The truth is that we're at a critical juncture in the history of our species and if we don't act soon, we could inhabit a world we don't recognize anymore. But the most important truth is that we are capable of stopping climate change before the worst of its consequences are locked in. The solutions exist - all we need is the will to do something about it.

There's no such thing as clean coal. It's non-existent. Theoretically, it might be possible, many years from now, to come up with a way to clean it as it's burnt. But there's not a single demonstration project in the United States. [...] Clean coal doesn't exist.

Over the long term, it is more profitable to do the right thing for the environment than to pollute it.

The Earth's climate system is very complex, so nobody can say absolutely, without question, this is going to happen in five, 10, 50 years time.

The climate for negotiations is challenging, no question.

an historic moment for global efforts to combat climate change.

E.P.A. will review all options and make an informed decision on how to proceed. E.P.A.'s climate protection programs continue to exceed the agency's greenhouse gas emissions goals and are on target to meet the president's 18 percent goal to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 2012.

It's a tribute to the curriculum, excellent teachers, parents and principals setting the climate in the building, ... But parents always have high expectations. That's a big reason why people move to Mt. Lebanon.

When it comes to global consciousness, the United States is walking the walk. And when it comes to climate change, we are making significant progress, more progress than many of those who have been most critical of us.