President Barack Obama speaks by the Sentinel Bridge in the Yosemite Valley, in front of Yosemite Falls which is the highest waterfall in the park at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) - President Barack Obama said Saturday that climate change is already damaging America's national parks, with rising temperatures causing Yosemite's meadows to dry out and raising the prospect of a glacier preserve without its glaciers someday.
"Make no mistake. Climate change is no longer just a threat. It's already a reality," Obama said from a podium, with Yosemite Falls, one of the world's tallest at 2,425 feet, as a backdrop.
At the California park, where Obama was spending the weekend with his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha, the president also talked about how a rabbit-like animal known as a pika is being forced further upslope at Yosemite to escape the heat.
"Rising temperatures could mean no more glaciers at Glacier National Park. No more Joshua trees at Joshua Tree National Park," he said, adding that a changing climate could destroy vital ecosystems in the Everglades and threaten such landmarks as Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Obama spoke near Yosemite's Sentinel Bridge, where views of Half Dome, a well-known rock formation in the park, and Yosemite Falls created a picturesque background behind him under a sunny, blue sky.
After a night with his family in a rented cabin in the popular park, Obama stuck to his usual routine by rising early Saturday and heading to a recreation center on the grounds for his daily gym workout.
Obama's weekend in the great outdoors was planned to encourage more people to appreciate and visit many of the nation's parks. The National Park Services manages more than 400 sites around the country and celebrates its centennial in August.
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President Barack Obama speaks by the Sentinel Bridge, in the Yosemite Valley, in front of the Yosemite Falls which is the highest waterfall in the Park at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
With a log being used as a buffer zone, President Barack Obama speaks by the Sentinel Bridge in the Yosemite Valley, in front of the Yosemite Falls the highest waterfall in the park, at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama jokes that he needs help getting up and is assisted by children as he and first lady Michelle Obama met with children during the "Every Kid in a Park" event at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
The sun rises over Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016, as the Obama family visits the park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama take a photograph with children attending an "Every Kid in a Park" event at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama leaves he podium to greet the crowd after speaking in the Yosemite Valley in front of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in the park, at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama speaks by the Sentinel Bridge, in the Yosemite Valley, in front of the Yosemite Falls which is the highest waterfall in the Park at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama hands out tickets for entry to National Parks to children attending the "Every Kid in a Park" event at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
First lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama meet with children during the "Every Kid in a Park" event at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family traveled to Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
Secret Service Police work the area near where President Barack Obama and the first family are staying at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. The Obama family is visiting Yosemite to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creation of America's national park system. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Associated Press
President Barack Obama shakes hands after a press conference in Cook's Meadow at Yosemite National Park, Calif., on Saturday, June 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
The Associated Press