MANAUS, Brazil — Standing at the brink of the Amazon rainforest, President Joe Biden on November 17, 2024, defended his climate legacy against incoming political opposition, emphasizing the permanence of his administration's clean energy initiatives. Shortly before heading to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit, Biden became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon. His trip aimed not only to underline his commitment to tackling climate change but also to send a clear message to those who may follow him—specifically, President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to dismantle many of Biden's climate initiatives.
During his visit, Biden aimed to highlight what he considers monumental strides made under his leadership to combat climate change. He spoke passionately about the benefits of the clean energy revolution currently underway, asserting, "Some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that's underway in America, but nobody—nobody—can reverse it." His firm declaration came against the backdrop of reports indicating Trump's intention to roll back key legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions and transitioning the U.S. toward renewable energy sources.
After taking an aerial tour of the region severely impacted by drought, where he observed dried riverbeds and evidence of illegal logging, he spoke earnestly with local Indigenous leaders and climate experts like Nobel laureate Dr. Carlos Nobre. This excursion served to ground his political rhetoric with real-world impacts, illustrating the tangible consequences of climate neglect—emphasizing just how fragile this unique ecosystem has become.
Biden reflected on his administration's accomplishments, detailing plans for clean energy investments he believes could cut U.S. carbon emissions by half by 2030. He noted, "I will leave my successor and my country the strong foundation to build on, if they choose to do so," drawing attention to the employment opportunities tied to green energy. Biden's urgent appeal—"The question now is, which government will stand in the way and which will seize the enormous economic opportunity?"—underscored the stakes involved.
Throughout his presidency, Biden has navigated significant hurdles to participate on the global stage concerning climate change. Chief among them was his move to rejoin the Paris Agreement—a step Trump had annulled back upon entering office. The struggle to maintain this commitment faces renewed scrutiny as Trump has openly criticized the accord and has plans to withdraw from it once more.
On the heels of Biden’s Amazon visit, the uncertainty surrounding the fate of his climate policies lingered heavily. Trump's administration has already expressed intentions to gut the Inflation Reduction Act, which heralded the most substantial federal clean energy investment ever made. This proposed rollback raises substantial questions about whether the progress seen during Biden's term can be sustained.
During his visit to the Amazon, Biden announced initiatives worth tens of millions of dollars aimed at conservation efforts, alongside pledges to bolster international financial support for climate adaptation. He revealed commitments of $50 million to Brazil's Amazon Fund, boosting U.S. contributions to $100 million total.
Biden’s announcements came coincidentally just before Trump's naming of Chris Wright, CEO of a fracking company, as his pick for Secretary of Energy. Analysts are expressing skepticism about whether the incoming administration will uphold any of Biden's promised funding and initiatives to protect this irreplaceable ecosystem and address climate change. Indeed, as Biden himself noted, there seems to be skepticism among international leaders present at the South American summits about the longevity of these pledges once he departs.
The Amazon rainforest is not merely another environmental issue; it constitutes one of the planet's most significant biodiversity reservoirs, home to countless species and Indigenous communities. Its survival is intrinsically linked to the Earth's climatic health. With Biden's presidency nearing its end, the hope for future constructive engagement remains unsteady, caught between momentum gained through environmental responsibility and the threat posed by skepticism about climate science.
