Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Presidential Documents 18975 

Proclamation 8364 of April 22, 2009 

Earth Day, 2009 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

The story of the United States is inextricably tied to our vital natural 

resources. As we enter a new era filled with challenges and promise, we 

must protect our land, wildlife, water and air—the resources that have 

fueled our growth and prosperity as a Nation and enriched our lives. Doing 

this not only fulfills a sacred obligation to our children and grandchildren, 

but also provides an opportunity to stimulate economic growth. 

To achieve these ends, no issue deserves more immediate attention than 

global warming. Scientists have already observed alarming shifts in the 

natural world, including thawing permafrost, melting glaciers, and rising 

sea levels. 

Climate change presents a serious test for humankind, but it also provides 

an opportunity for great innovation and adaptation. The United States has 

risen to such challenges before, and Earth Day inspires us to transcend 

differences among nations so we may lead the world in protecting our 

planet from this global threat. 

Americans across the country are working hard to help limit the pollutants 

that cause climate change and reduce their impact on the environment, 

but we must do more. Individuals and organizations can plant trees, use 

energy efficient lightbulbs, drive fuel efficient cars, hold clean-up drives, 

and teach young people about environmental preservation. Small changes 

in our daily lives can have a big impact on our environment. Individuals 

can walk, bike, and use public transportation; buy products with less packaging; and recycle and reuse paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum more 

often. American families can also save money by choosing energy efficient 

products, turning lights off, unplugging appliances, and cutting back on 

heating and air conditioning. 

Government and business alike must also take serious and sustained action 

to protect our valuable natural inheritance. Through investments in scientific 

research and development, and the vigorous pursuit of alternative and renewable energy, we can create millions of green jobs that allow us to reduce 

greenhouse gases and excel in a competitive global economy. My Administration is committed to increasing fuel economy standards and putting more 

Plug-In Hybrid cars on the road, weatherizing millions of homes, and catalyzing private efforts to build a clean energy future. My Administration 

is also working to achieve a comprehensive energy and climate policy, 

one that will lessen our dependence on foreign oil, make the U.S. the 

global leader in clean energy technology, and prevent the worst impacts 

of climate change. 

President Theodore Roosevelt emphasized our obligation to future Americans, 

saying, ‘‘of all the questions which can come before this nation, short of 

the actual preservation of its existence in a great war, there is none which 

compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land 

even a better land for our descendants than it is for us.’’ Heeding President 

Roosevelt’s call, and carrying forward his spirit of determination, we must 

commit ourselves to protecting our environment and ensuring the health 


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18976 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 78 / Friday, April 24, 2009 / Presidential Documents 

of our planet so we may share the magnificent blessings of our Earth with 

our grandchildren. 

We do this not only to acknowledge the environment’s central role in 

the development of our Nation but also to recognize the strong ecological 

interdependence among nations. History has shown that as we sow, so 

too shall we reap. Let us rededicate ourselves to a world that provides 

bountiful harvests for us all not just today, but for many generations to 

come. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 22, 2009, as Earth 

Day. I encourage all citizens to help protect our environment and contribute 

to a healthy, sustainable world. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second 

day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third. 

[FR Doc. E9–9622 

Filed 4–23–09; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3195–W9–P 


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