Biden Reflects on His Environmental Achievements: ‘We did it’
The president highlighted his achievements in environmental policy while also criticizing former President Donald Trump.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — President Joe Biden delivered a robust defense of his climate and energy achievements on Tuesday, conveying a message that has largely been overshadowed in the current presidential race.
Speaking at a climate event shortly after addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Biden provided an enthusiastic overview of his environmental initiatives to an audience predominantly composed of supportive business leaders, asserting that he has developed a “new formula” that both bolsters the economy and advances clean energy.
“Kamala and I have pursued an ambitious climate policy focused on growth,” Biden stated to approximately 200 attendees at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum held at the Plaza Hotel. “We were told it couldn’t get done. But we did it.”
This appearance during Climate Week was potentially Biden’s final significant occasion to publicly outline his extensive energy agenda before voters evaluate it in November, effectively serving as a summation of a key aspect of his presidency.
His address coincided with climate activists rallying in the streets of Manhattan, demanding stronger action against fossil fuel pollution, while his possible successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, has largely steered clear of discussing the administration’s substantial clean energy subsidies during her campaign appearances.
Instead, Harris has framed her energy messaging to appeal to independent voters by highlighting the U.S. as a leader in oil and natural gas production, alongside addressing economic concerns such as increasing insurance costs tied to climate change. She has also distanced herself from her earlier commitment in 2019 to ban fracking amidst criticism from former President Donald Trump.
In a speech in Georgia on Tuesday, Trump promised to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. from abroad, a commitment that Biden is arguably already realizing with his extensive incentives for clean technologies, including electric vehicles.
Biden’s achievements in climate policy are very much at stake in the upcoming presidential election, even if he is no longer at the forefront of the Democratic Party’s dialogue on the topic.
While Harris is expected to continue Biden’s initiatives aimed at reducing climate pollution through the promotion of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, Trump has dismissed the risks associated with climate change, advocates for the oil sector, and has pledged to withdraw the U.S. from international climate commitments.
During his address on Tuesday, Biden included detailed energy policy specifics that the Harris campaign has mostly overlooked. He also took a shot at Trump, who has labeled global warming as a myth.
“He says he’d repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. He’d let our factories shut down. He’d move the world backwards,” Biden remarked. “His denial of climate change condemns our future generations to a more dangerous world.”
He then lowered his voice to a whisper, as though sharing a secret with the audience, and remarked, “By the way, windmills do not cause cancer.”
Earlier that day, Biden utilized his final address as president at the United Nations to advocate for unity in the fight against climate change and other global issues, while crises continue to escalate in areas such as Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
“Things can get better,” he expressed.
Numerous events are being held throughout New York to celebrate Climate Week and coincide with the U.N. General Assembly.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
Speaking at a climate event shortly after addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Biden provided an enthusiastic overview of his environmental initiatives to an audience predominantly composed of supportive business leaders, asserting that he has developed a “new formula” that both bolsters the economy and advances clean energy.
“Kamala and I have pursued an ambitious climate policy focused on growth,” Biden stated to approximately 200 attendees at the Bloomberg Global Business Forum held at the Plaza Hotel. “We were told it couldn’t get done. But we did it.”
This appearance during Climate Week was potentially Biden’s final significant occasion to publicly outline his extensive energy agenda before voters evaluate it in November, effectively serving as a summation of a key aspect of his presidency.
His address coincided with climate activists rallying in the streets of Manhattan, demanding stronger action against fossil fuel pollution, while his possible successor, Vice President Kamala Harris, has largely steered clear of discussing the administration’s substantial clean energy subsidies during her campaign appearances.
Instead, Harris has framed her energy messaging to appeal to independent voters by highlighting the U.S. as a leader in oil and natural gas production, alongside addressing economic concerns such as increasing insurance costs tied to climate change. She has also distanced herself from her earlier commitment in 2019 to ban fracking amidst criticism from former President Donald Trump.
In a speech in Georgia on Tuesday, Trump promised to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. from abroad, a commitment that Biden is arguably already realizing with his extensive incentives for clean technologies, including electric vehicles.
Biden’s achievements in climate policy are very much at stake in the upcoming presidential election, even if he is no longer at the forefront of the Democratic Party’s dialogue on the topic.
While Harris is expected to continue Biden’s initiatives aimed at reducing climate pollution through the promotion of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, Trump has dismissed the risks associated with climate change, advocates for the oil sector, and has pledged to withdraw the U.S. from international climate commitments.
During his address on Tuesday, Biden included detailed energy policy specifics that the Harris campaign has mostly overlooked. He also took a shot at Trump, who has labeled global warming as a myth.
“He says he’d repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. He’d let our factories shut down. He’d move the world backwards,” Biden remarked. “His denial of climate change condemns our future generations to a more dangerous world.”
He then lowered his voice to a whisper, as though sharing a secret with the audience, and remarked, “By the way, windmills do not cause cancer.”
Earlier that day, Biden utilized his final address as president at the United Nations to advocate for unity in the fight against climate change and other global issues, while crises continue to escalate in areas such as Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine.
“Things can get better,” he expressed.
Numerous events are being held throughout New York to celebrate Climate Week and coincide with the U.N. General Assembly.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
