Joe Biden to focus on climate change threats
United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the climate change threat will be the center of his national security and foreign policy. Biden on Wednesday signed a series of executive orders and took steps to address this challenge, which he identified as one of the most pressing threats of the era.
John Kerry named Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
"Look, this executive order I'm signing today also makes it official that climate change will be the center of our national security and foreign policy," Biden told reporters at the White House. Biden has named former Secretary of State, John Kerry, as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. "With him, the world knows how serious I am," he said.
What else did Biden say about the order he signed?
Kerry was instrumental in negotiating the Paris Climate Agreement, which Biden's administration rejoined on day one. Biden added that the executive order will help strengthen that commitment by working with other nations to support the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change. He will also convene a summit of world leaders to address the climate crisis on Earth Day this year.
'We are America, we are bold'
"In order to establish a new effort to integrate the security implications of climate change as part of our national security, risk assessment and analysis will also be included," Biden said. The executive orders signed by Biden will put the country on an "irreversible path" to a net-zero economy by 2050. "Our plans are ambitious but we are America, we're bold," said Biden.
Biden to meet climate crisis with jobs and ingenuity
"We're unwavering in the pursuit of jobs and innovation and science and discovery. We must do this and we will do this. I'm now going to sign the executive order to meet the climate crisis with American jobs and American ingenuity," added Biden.
Biden administration will confront the existential threat of climate change
Biden said the US has already waited too long to deal with the crisis, and can't wait any longer. The attitude of the Americans toward the greater impetus of focusing on climate change and doing something about it has increased. "That's why I'm signing today an executive order to supercharge our administration's ambitious plan to confront the existential threat of climate change," he said.
Biden to host an early Leaders' Climate Summit
The US will immediately begin the process of developing its nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement. The process will include input from relevant executives and agencies as well as appropriate outreach to domestic stakeholders. Biden will host an early Leaders' Climate Summit aimed at raising climate ambition and making a positive contribution to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
US to work according to the objectives of Paris Agreement
The United States will reconvene the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, beginning with the Leaders' Climate Summit. Biden informed that in cooperation with the Forum's members, as well as other partners, the US will pursue green recovery efforts, initiatives to advance the clean energy transition, sectoral decarbonization, and alignment of financial flows with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Biden to press for enhanced climate ambition
"The efforts will also include nature-based solutions to other climate-related challenges," he said. Recognizing that climate change affects a wide range of subjects, Biden said it will be a United States priority to press for enhanced climate ambition and integration of climate considerations across a wide range of international forums, including the groupings like the G7 and G20.
