Obama: We must stop climate change 'while we still can'

President Obama on Tuesday gave a short but pointed speech calling on every nation to join together in combating climate change "while we still can."

"We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change, and the last generation that can do something about it," he said in an address at the United Nations.

Obama specifically called out the United States and China, the world's two biggest releasers of carbon-trapping emissions, saying they have a "special responsibility to lead." But, he added, the goal of halting climate change will only succeed "if we are joined in this effort by every nation, developed and developing alike."

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In conjunction with the speech, the White House released details of an executive order that will require all international development work to consider its potential impact on global warming.