US President Joe Biden made history during his trip to the Amazon rainforest, becoming the first sitting president to experience the grandeur of the world's largest jungle firsthand. On this momentous occasion, Biden aimed to shed light on the grave issues of climate change and environmental degradation, spurred on by apprehensions surrounding the return of Donald Trump to power, who has openly derided climate initiatives.
This historic visit commenced with Biden landing in Manaus, Brazil, after attending his last summit with Asia-Pacific leaders. His arrival came as Brazil grapples with the challenge of combating climate change, with the Amazon playing a pivotal role as one of the planet's most significant carbon sinks.
During the Amazon visit, Biden took to the skies aboard a helicopter, gaining astonishing views of the rainforest, which has suffered immensely due to deforestation and severe drought. His itinerary included stops at significant locations such as local museums and meetings with Indigenous leaders committed to preserving this ecological treasure. Notably, he was joined on this expedition by Carlos Nobre, a Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist, alongside his trusted climate adviser, John Podesta.
Biden's aerial survey offered him insight not only on the thriving beauty of the rainforest but also the concerning realities of its degradation. The Amazonian waterways, once brimming with life, are becoming increasingly shallow due to prolonged droughts—a trend observed over the last two years—compounded by rampant wildfires and extensive land clearing.
Prior to taking this trip, the White House boasted significant achievements in climate financing. Washington had met its target of ramping up bilateral climate funding to $11 billion annually, which is six times the amount the US allocated at the inception of Biden’s presidency. While this figure positioned the United States as the largest bilateral donor of climate finance globally, critics pointed out the shortfall compared to the European Union. Notably, Biden pledged last year to bolster the Amazon Fund with $500 million; so far, only $50 million has been disbursed, reflecting delays amid broader budget negotiations.
Following his stop in Manaus, Biden was set to head to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit, where climate change is one of the main topics on the agenda. Brazil also planned to discuss new tax proposals on the wealthiest individuals as part of broader strategies to combat climate challenges and alleviate poverty.
Brazil’s commitment to mitigating deforestation is front and center with President Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva at the helm. The Brazilian leader has made it his mission to halt illegal deforestation by the year 2030, marking a significant shift from the policies of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, who favored agricultural expansion over protective measures for the rainforest.
The Amazon rainforest, sprawling across nine countries, is instrumental not just for Brazil, but for the entire planet, as it plays a key role in absorbing carbon dioxide. Studies reveal disturbing statistics, including the loss of forested areas equivalent to the size of Germany and France combined over the last four decades, primarily due to human activity. Alarmingly, recent data indicates severe losses, with approximately 6,288 square kilometers of rainforest cut down between July 2021 and July 2022. Climate experts cite the worsening drought conditions as direct consequences of climate change, which have exacerbated wildfire risks.
Experts warn of dire consequences should Trump return to the presidency. Having previously exited the 2015 Paris climate agreement during his first term, there are fierce apprehensions about future efforts to combat climate change being significantly reversed. Trump’s administration, characterized by policies favoring fossil fuel production, could offer solace to other major polluters like China and India, allowing them to scale back their climate initiatives.
The stakes have never been higher. Only time will tell if Biden can galvanize world leaders to take definitive action or if setbacks loom on the horizon due to changing political tides.
