President Joe Biden made history as the first sitting US president to visit the Amazon rainforest, witnessing the devastation caused by drought and climate change. He emphasized the importance of the clean energy revolution in America while acknowledging the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump may scale back efforts to combat climate change.
Biden’s trip to the Amazon region highlighted the critical role the rainforest plays in storing carbon dioxide and its impact on global warming. He met with Indigenous leaders, scientists, and visited areas affected by erosion and wildfires. The US president signed a proclamation designating November 17 as International Conservation Day, emphasizing the need to protect the planet for future generations.
During his visit, Biden announced plans for new efforts to bolster the Amazon and combat climate change, including a $500m contribution to the Amazon Fund and a new finance coalition to spur investment in land restoration and eco-friendly projects. He also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and fulfilling pledges to help poorer nations struggling with climate change impacts.
While Biden’s visit was symbolic, experts expressed doubts about concrete results given the pending transition to a new administration. Brazil’s President Lula has pledged to combat deforestation, but challenges remain in balancing environmental protection with economic development. Despite progress in curbing deforestation, threats from agribusiness expansion and infrastructure projects persist.
Biden’s visit to the Amazon was part of a broader trip to South America, emphasizing the US commitment to climate action and environmental conservation. As the world faces growing challenges from climate change, global cooperation and leadership are essential to safeguarding our planet for future generations.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
