--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead of sitting on the sidelines…" description: "\"Instead of sitting on the sidelines, President Obama has made it clear that the US is ready to lead a global effort to combat climate change.\" — Valeri..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png" --- # Instead of sitting on the sidelines, President Obama has… ![“Instead of sitting on the sidelines, President Obama has made it clear that the US is ready to lead a global effort to combat climate change.” quote by Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png) > “Instead of sitting on the sidelines, President Obama has made it clear that the US is ready to lead a global effort to combat climate change.” [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. President Obama’s active leadership signals U.S. commitment to global climate action, moving beyond passive observation. **In simple terms:** Leadership drives climate action. Key Takeaway Support proactive policies. Themes environment leadership global cooperation Mood optimistic urgent Type political motivational When to use this quote - government meetings - international summits - local sustainability projects - public advocacy Key Concepts climate science policy implementation Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens sustain momentum? - What role can individuals play? A Different Perspective Political will can waver. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Climate change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate-change/) [Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Combat Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat-climate-414023/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Global Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-effort-2320904/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Obama Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obama-clear-3382050/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [President obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president-obama/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Sidelines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sidelines/) [Sidelines President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sidelines-president-5724446/) [Sitting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sitting/) ## Related quotes > [Either we stand united and agree to combat climate change or we will all stumble and fall and condemn humanity to a tragic future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enele-sopoaga/either-we-stand-united-and-agree-to-combat-climate-change-or-we-will/) [Enele Sopoaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enele-sopoaga/) > [While the agreement signed in Paris between 195 nations to combat climate change was historic and significant, it's still vague and lacks the ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-b-quigley/while-the-agreement-signed-in-paris-between-195-nations-to-combat/) [John B. 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Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-brennan/) > [President Obama has been very clear as he laid out the goal, and the objective is to close Guantanamo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cliff-sloan/president-obama-has-been-very-clear-as-he-laid-out-the-goal-and-the/) [Cliff Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cliff-sloan/) > [It is a simple fact of life on earth that there is going to be no successful mitigation of the climate change problem without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-garnaut/it-is-a-simple-fact-of-life-on-earth-that-there-is-going-to-be-no/) [Ross Garnaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-garnaut/) > [Our research is so complex that the resources of a single region of the world are no longer enough - both intellectually and economically,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabiola-gianotti/our-research-is-so-complex-that-the-resources-of-a-single-region-of/) [Fabiola Gianotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabiola-gianotti/) > [We can combat climate change effectively. 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The time is now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/let-s-unite-our-impassioned-voices-to-combat-climate-change-the-time/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [We should be redoubling our own efforts to combat climate change, not watering them down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-davey/we-should-be-redoubling-our-own-efforts-to-combat-climate-change-not/) [Ed Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-davey/) > [Under President Obama's leadership, the United States has done more to combat climate change than ever before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-deese/under-president-obama-s-leadership-the-united-states-has-done-more-to/) [Brian Deese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-deese/) > [We will continue to look for innovative solutions to combat the climate crisis, grow our economy, and leave behind a healthier world for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/we-will-continue-to-look-for-innovative-solutions-to-combat-the/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Unlike a 'fracking ban,' the Fossil Energy Research bill would actually help us combat climate change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-lamb/unlike-a-fracking-ban-the-fossil-energy-research-bill-would-actually/) [Conor Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-lamb/) ## More by Valerie Jarrett > [I am an Iranian by birth and of my Islamic faith. I am also an American Citizen and I seek to help change America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/i-am-an-iranian-by-birth-and-of-my-islamic-faith-i-am-also-an/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [We have held forums here at the White House on workplace flexibility, and the first major bill signed into law by President Obama was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/we-have-held-forums-here-at-the-white-house-on-workplace-flexibility/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [Companies have told us that they have employees who are near retirement age. We created a $5 billion reinsurance pool to help them bear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/companies-have-told-us-that-they-have-employees-who-are-near/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [Part of what makes America strong is our resilience, tenacity, innovation and our willingness to be optimistic about our future. I know that President…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/part-of-what-makes-america-strong-is-our-resilience-tenacity/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [I had my daughter when I was pretty young, 28, and I had to sacrifice not going out with my friends, and I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/i-had-my-daughter-when-i-was-pretty-young-28-and-i-had-to-sacrifice/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [Barack's mother was very important to him, but he spent a great deal of his life living in a different place. So, as all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/barack-s-mother-was-very-important-to-him-but-he-spent-a-great-deal/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [Encouraging the next generation is really where my heart is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/encouraging-the-next-generation-is-really-where-my-heart-is/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [I vividly remember early on in my career when I was eight months pregnant, working literally around the clock, and worrying that each trip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/i-vividly-remember-early-on-in-my-career-when-i-was-eight-months/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [I don't want to just tell my story - I want to share the experiences, life lessons, and values that have shaped who I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/i-don-t-want-to-just-tell-my-story-i-want-to-share-the-experiences/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [If you are not diverse and you are not listening to all voices and have your ear to the ground, you're not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/if-you-are-not-diverse-and-you-are-not-listening-to-all-voices-and/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [We do have to ask ourselves as a culture, what do we want to be? You know, what are our founding values? And if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/we-do-have-to-ask-ourselves-as-a-culture-what-do-we-want-to-be-you/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [We have to think creatively about changes that need to be made in the workplace to accommodate the growing demands on the work force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/we-have-to-think-creatively-about-changes-that-need-to-be-made-in-the/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [We don't want to get distracted by looking back; we need to move forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/we-don-t-want-to-get-distracted-by-looking-back-we-need-to-move/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [For me, the passions and issues I care so much about are ones that lend themselves to work whether you're in government or outside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/for-me-the-passions-and-issues-i-care-so-much-about-are-ones-that/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) > [The tech community has taken the first step by recognizing that diversity is a strength and realizing that many of them have to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/the-tech-community-has-taken-the-first-step-by-recognizing-that/) [Valerie Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) [Explore all 145 Valerie Jarrett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Instead of sitting on the sidelines, President Obama has made it clear that the US is ready to lead a global effort to combat climate change.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Valerie Jarrett" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-president-obama-has-made-it-clear/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-president-obama-has-made-it-clear/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dab/valerie-jarrett-2933_change_instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-pres_1538416.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Instead of sitting on the sidelines, President Obama has made it clear that the US is ready to lead a global…” — Valerie Jarrett", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Valerie Jarrett", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-jarrett/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Instead of sitting on the sidelines,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-president-obama-has-made-it-clear/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-jarrett/instead-of-sitting-on-the-sidelines-president-obama-has-made-it-clear/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```