President Biden has urged world leaders to answer “history’s call” by striking a bold climate change deal at COP26 in Glasgow.
The US leader said the climate crisis is the “challenge of our lifetimes” and demanded immediate action to avert a “growing catastrophe”.
Biden flew to Scotland today to lend his support for a global deal that limits temperature rises to 1.5 degrees and ensures the world reaches net zero by 2050.
The Democrat has said tackling climate change is one of his top priorities after predecessor Donald Trump withdrew America from the Paris Agreement.
After flying to Edinburgh this morning, Biden was the star attraction at a world leaders’ summit designed to push countries to act urgently on the crisis.
Introduced by COP President Alok Sharma, Biden said the current decade was crucial to save the planet: “Will we act? Will we do what is necessary? Will we seize the enormous opportunity before us? Or will we all condemn future generations to suffer?”
He said climate change is “already ravaging the world” and warned: “It's destroying people's lives and livelihoods. And doing it every single day.”
He also stressed the importance of the massive Glasgow conference, which has triggered protests, in Scotland’s largest city: “There's no more time to hang back or sit on the fence, or argue amongst ourselves. This is a challenge of our collective lifetime. The existential threat to human existence as we know it.
“And every day we delay the cost of inaction increases. So let this be the moment that we answer history's call here in Glasgow."
The head of state also offered a message of hope in the transition towards net zero economies: “Within the growing catastrophe, I believe there's an incredible opportunity, not just for the United States but for all of us.
“We have the ability to invest in ourselves and build an equitable clean energy future. In the process, create millions of good paying jobs and opportunities around the world.”
In a dig at Trump, who was blasted for his actions on the Paris Agreement, he said the US is “back at the table” and ready to lead.
“I know it hasn't [always] been the case,” he said.
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