WASHINGTON – On Earth Day, U.S. President Joe Biden committed to a 50% to 52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Biden said the signs of global warming are unmistakable, the science is undeniable and the cost of inaction just keeps mounting.
“This is the decade we must make decisions that will avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis,” Biden told the 40 world leaders who were participating in the two-day virtual climate summit.
Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and White House climate envoy, John Kerry, watched the speeches of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Jinping and Putin also promised to cut fossil fuel emissions.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro promised to stop clearcut logging in the Amazon.
Gaston Alfonso Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said his country is among the most affected without contributing much to greenhouse gas emissions.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel celebrated Biden’s decision to work on climate politics.
“There can be no doubt about the world needing your contribution if we really want to fulfill our ambitious goals,” Merkel said.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, will be held from Nov. 1-12 in Glasgow, Scotland.
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This #EarthDay, let's stop talking and start acting.
— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) April 22, 2021
I'm thrilled to see @POTUS commit to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half. This is a historic commitment to get serious about climate change. To truly protect South Florida, we need to be bold. https://t.co/gxUQJFvQIe
This pandemic has shown us exactly how the behavior of one can impact the lives of thousands.
— Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) April 22, 2021
We have one planet, Let's all do what we can to protect it.#HappyEarthDay #EarthDay2021 pic.twitter.com/ij8F0wblIU
Torres contributed to this report from Miami.