Speaking from the Amazon rainforest, President Biden said Sunday he is leaving President-elect Trump with a “strong” climate foundation that can be built on “if they choose to do so.”
“It’s no secret that I’m leaving office in January. I will leave my successor and my country a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so,” Biden said.
With Trump’s election victory, some are concerned that he will roll back some of the Biden administration’s climate change work.
Biden noted that some may seek to “deny or delay” the clean energy solutions and “revolution” underway in America.
“But nobody, nobody, can reverse it, nobody,” he said. “Not when so many people, regardless of party or politics, are enjoying its benefits.”
With his visit Sunday, Biden became the first sitting American president to set foot in the Amazon rainforest. He said he was proud to visit the region.
He signed a U.S. proclamation designating Nov. 17 as International Conservation Day.
Last year, the Biden administration designated $500 million for the Amazon Fund, making it the most significant international effort to preserve the rainforest. So far, the U.S. has provided $50 million to the fund, and Biden said Sunday the U.S. will provide $50 million more.
A senior Biden administration official said it will be up to Trump to continue the efforts.
“Maybe he’ll come down here and see the forest and see the damage being done from drought and other things and change his mind about climate change,” the official said Sunday.
