Rio De Janeiro [Brazil], November 18: United States President Joe Biden unveiled significant climate initiatives on Sunday during a historic visit to the Amazon rainforest. Biden, attending the G20 Summit in Rio De Janeiro on Monday, became the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon.
Key Announcements
Addressing the press after his visit, President Biden reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling climate change, calling it a “defining cause” of his presidency.
Key Initiatives Announced by Biden:
- Increased Contribution to the Amazon Fund: The US pledged an additional $50 million to the Amazon Fund, doubling its total contribution to $100 million.
- Reforestation Efforts: The US Development Finance Corporation will collaborate with a Brazilian company to mobilize hundreds of millions of dollars to reforest the Amazon rainforest.
- Land Restoration and Protection: Biden announced the formation of a bioeconomy finance coalition that will mobilize at least $10 billion by 2030 to restore and protect 20,000 square miles of land in Brazil.
- Support for Brazil’s ‘Tropical Forest Forever Fund’: The US will provide financial backing to launch this initiative led by Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
“It is in the interest of all of us. The US benefits from it as much as any other country does, including here in Brazil,” Biden emphasized.
A Legacy for the Planet
President Biden stressed the importance of climate action as a fight for humanity’s future. “The fight to protect the planet is literally a fight for humanity for generations to come,” he said.
Reflecting on his administration’s efforts, he added, “I will leave my successor and my country with a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so. Some may seek to deny and delay the green energy revolution underway in America, but nobody can reverse it.”
Trump’s Incoming Administration
Biden’s announcements come in the final weeks of his presidency, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January 2025. Trump, known for his less supportive stance on climate initiatives during his first term, has not indicated any major shifts in his approach to environmental policy.
Donald Trump secured his second term in office by winning 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, defeating Democratic rival Kamala Harris, who garnered 226 votes. Since his victory, Trump has been swiftly assembling his foreign policy and national security team ahead of his inauguration.
President Biden’s visit and announcements underscore a critical push for climate action, highlighting the urgency of global efforts to combat climate change as leadership transitions in the United States.