Is Biden confused again?
In an interview with The Weather Channel, President Joe Biden made a statement that has drawn attention. When asked about the possibility of declaring a national climate emergency, the President initially claimed that he had already done so. However, he later shifted his response, stating it in more practical terms.
According to Newsmax, Speaking from the Grand Canyon during a conversation with the cable channel, President Biden responded to inquiries about a potential climate emergency declaration, a demand that climate activists have been urging since the beginning of his presidency. According to CNN’s report, the President mentioned, “We’ve conserved more land, we’ve rejoined the Paris Climate Accords, we’ve passed the $368 billion climate control facility. We’re moving. It is the existential threat to humanity.” This interview was scheduled to be aired on Wednesday.
Despite his various executive and legislative actions aimed at combatting climate change, President Biden has refrained from formally declaring a climate emergency. Clarifying the President’s stance, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre explained that President Biden was referring to his prior invocation of the Defense Production Act, which aimed to boost the production of clean energy.
Another White House official reiterated the President’s long-standing commitment to addressing the urgent threat of climate change and the high priority he places on tackling it.
The interview took place during President Biden’s four-day tour in the Western United States, coinciding with his designation of a new monument at the Grand Canyon. The tour was intended to generate enthusiasm for his efforts in addressing the climate crisis.
It’s worth noting that President Biden came close to officially declaring a climate emergency last summer. On July 20, 2022, he indicated his intent to translate his acknowledgment of climate change as an emergency into concrete governmental actions. While discussing the matter, he stated, “Climate change is an emergency, and in the coming weeks I’m going to use the power I have as president to turn these words into formal, official, government actions through the appropriate proclamations, executive orders, and regulatory power that a president possesses.” However, an agreement was subsequently reached between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Joe Manchin on the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed in August 2022. This legislation included funding amounting to $369 billion for climate change initiatives.
As of now, President Biden has refrained from making an official declaration of a climate emergency. A recent poll conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland revealed that 57% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the climate change issue.