Biden: climate crisis threatens life itself on Earth

In Sharm el-Sheikh, President Joe Biden addressed the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). He said that the global climate crisis is an existential threat to the planet and promised that the United States will do everything possible to address the crisis.

“The climate crisis is about human security, economic security, environmental security, national security and the very life of the planet,” Biden said, before outlining the steps the United States must take as the world’s second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

“As president of the United States, I can say with confidence that the United States will meet our emissions goals by 2030,” he said.

His remarks were meant to remind the representatives of U.N. member governments gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh that they must keep average global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius to prevent the worst effects of warming. This must be remembered even now, as a host of crises, from war in Europe to rampant inflation, divert international attention.

“Against this backdrop, it is more important than ever that we double down on our commitment to combat climate change. The war unleashed by Russia only reinforces the urgency of ridding the world of its dependence on fossil fuels,” the president added.

The Biden administration has unveiled a plan to severely reduce emissions of methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, which will primarily affect the U.S. oil and gas industry.

On the sidelines of the conference, Joe Biden met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The White House said Biden congratulated his Egyptian counterpart on the 27th climate conference and also discussed with him global efforts to address the climate crisis and the U.S.-Egyptian strategic partnership.

“President Biden expressed the United States’ solidarity with Egypt in the face of global economic and food security challenges caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the White House added.