The global climate summit kicked off in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, with President Joe Biden urging attention to the risks of warming on Earth before it's too late, while promising "promising" economic opportunities. In his opening speech at the summit, Biden stated that he sees immense economic opportunities in efforts to combat climate change in order to build a prosperous and sustainable economy.
The U.S. president pointed to the potential to create millions of jobs through the development of clean technologies that can be utilized "today and tomorrow." Biden emphasized that the signs are clear when discussing the dangers of climate change, asserting that science is undeniable.
The U.S. president mentioned that he proposed a massive investment in infrastructure to take advantage of climate change opportunities, stating that the consequences of inaction are growing and "we will not wait." He also discussed the significant economic benefits from electric vehicles and charging stations, urging the countries that are the largest sources of emissions to reduce them.
Biden also pledged that his country would address emissions, saying, "Let's enter the race and overcome the existential problem." He added that this decade will be crucial, emphasizing that there are only nine years left to curb warming and combat climate change.
In turn, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned about the dangers of climate change on Earth, describing it as an existential threat. Guterres added that greenhouse gases have reached levels "unseen before" on Earth.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who participated via video, stressed the need to respect nature "with all strength," stating that climate change poses significant challenges to the world. The Chinese president confirmed his country's commitment, as the world's second-largest economy, to reduce emissions, stating that China will hold a conference on biodiversity.
