Biden pledges to cut 50% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

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.

More on Biden

More on politics

Related social media

Torres contributed to this report from Miami.

Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About The Author
Andrea Torres

Andrea Torres

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.