Joe Biden’s historic visit to Manaus marks the first time a sitting U.S. president has traveled to the Amazon. With significant implications for U.S. climate policy, his trip includes a pledge to double the U.S. contribution to the Amazon Fund. Amid discussions at COP29 and potential concerns over Donald Trump’s return to power, Biden emphasizes the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest, which is crucial for absorbing carbon dioxide and combating climate change.
Historic Visit to the Amazon
On Sunday, Joe Biden made a groundbreaking visit to Manaus, marking the first time a sitting American president has traveled to the Amazon rainforest. This visit holds significant symbolism as it occurs just months ahead of Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the White House, sparking concerns regarding the future of U.S. climate policy. The 81-year-old president touched down in this Brazilian city, located in the heart of the Earth’s largest rainforest, as reported by an AFP correspondent. Just hours prior to his arrival, the White House revealed that the United States is set to fulfill its pledge to boost bilateral aid for climate change initiatives to eleven billion dollars by 2024, positioning itself as “the largest bilateral climate finance donor globally.”
This announcement is particularly poignant as discussions unfold at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, focusing on funding responsibilities in the fight against climate change. Friederike Röder, a specialist in climate finance at the NGO Global Citizen, stated, “No state should take pride in being the largest bilateral donor. What truly matters is the overall contribution to climate finance, and the United States has never achieved its ‘fair share.'” Washington faces criticism for favoring bilateral aid over contributions to multilateral funds that are co-managed by developing nations. Meanwhile, the European Union continues to be the largest global contributor to climate finance.
Commitment to Protecting the Amazon
During his visit to Manaus, Biden is expected to announce a significant increase in the U.S. contribution to the Amazon Fund, doubling it to one hundred million dollars. This international fund is dedicated to the preservation of this crucial forest. His trip, positioned between an Asia-Pacific summit in Lima and a G20 leaders’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, emphasizes his administration’s commitment to combating climate change, which remains a central issue of Biden’s presidency, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The American president plans to soar over the rainforest, explore a local museum, and engage with indigenous communities and officials dedicated to protecting the Amazon.
The potential return of Donald Trump to power on January 20 raises significant doubts about the U.S.’s climate commitments, as it is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China. Trump previously withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement during his first term and has indicated he may repeat this action if re-elected. The Amazon rainforest, spanning nine countries, is vital in combating climate change due to its ability to absorb carbon dioxide, yet it remains one of the most susceptible areas to climate change and environmental harm.
Typically one of the wettest places on Earth, the Amazon has faced its most devastating fires in two decades this year, exacerbated by a severe drought affecting much of South America, according to the European Copernicus Observatory. Over the past four decades, deforestation has led to the loss of an area comparable to the combined size of Germany and France, as revealed in a recent study by the Amazonian Network of Socio-Environmental and Geographic Information (RAISG), a consortium of researchers and NGOs.
Next week, at the G20 meeting in Rio, Biden will meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who prioritizes forest protection and has vowed to eliminate illegal deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon by 2030. This commitment is showing progress, with deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon declining by over 30% year-on-year from August 2023 to July 2024, marking the lowest levels in nine years. However, Trump’s presence at the G20 may overshadow these advancements, as many experts express concerns that he might hinder the renewable energy transition initiated by the Biden administration and jeopardize essential long-term climate objectives.
During his campaign, Trump made promises to “drill everywhere” and has cast doubt on the reality of climate change. A U.S. withdrawal from climate negotiations could offer major polluters like China and India a rationale to diminish their climate ambitions.