Grappling with the 'existential threat of our time'

US vows bold action but its credibility has been eroded, and rivals have their own views

Left: Emissions from a power generating plant in Ghent, Kentucky. Bloomberg reports that the Biden administration is considering pledging to cut emissions in the US by around 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Below: An aerial vi
Emissions from a power generating plant in Ghent, Kentucky. Bloomberg reports that the Biden administration is considering pledging to cut emissions in the US by around 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
Left: Emissions from a power generating plant in Ghent, Kentucky. Bloomberg reports that the Biden administration is considering pledging to cut emissions in the US by around 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG Below: An aerial vi
An aerial view of a river and a deforested plot of the Amazon near Porto Velho in Brazil's Rondonia state. The US administration is in the midst of negotiating a multibillion-dollar deal with Brazil to protect the Amazon rainforest. PHOTO: REUTERS
Charissa Yong‍ US Correspondent In Washington
Updated
Apr 17, 2021, 05:00 AM
Published
Apr 17, 2021, 05:00 AM
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US President Joe Biden has repeatedly described climate change as "the existential threat of our time" and vowed to deal with it urgently.

Next week, he will do so by taking the most high-profile action of his presidency so far, by hosting a two-day virtual summit that brings together the world's leaders to spur efforts to tackle the crisis.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 17, 2021, with the headline Grappling with the 'existential threat of our time'. Subscribe

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