Biden answered questions about climate change, clean energy and environmental policies in an interview with The Weather Channel.
“I’ve already done that,” Biden said when asked by the host about whether to declare a national emergency over the climate crisis.
Biden cited their re-joining the Paris Climate Agreement and the steps they have taken in the fight against the climate crisis, renewing his message that the climate crisis is an “existential threat” to humanity.
When the host asked again whether he really declared a national emergency, Biden replied, “Practically yes.”
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre also told CNN that she referred to Biden’s decision to promote the production of clean energy technologies. A White House official also argued that Biden was clear about the priority he gave to tackling climate change.
Environmentalists push for national emergency declaration
Traveling the southwestern states this week, announcing a series of steps on climate change and environmental policies, Biden frequently gives messages within the scope of combating climate change.
But Biden has yet to declare a national emergency that would require comprehensive federal action to tackle the climate crisis, paving the way for new powers and allocating additional funds for clean energy sources.
Environmentalists have pressed Biden since the first days of his presidency to declare a national emergency over the climate crisis.
Environmentalists reacted as “betrayal” when Biden allowed drilling for Willow Oil in Alaska’s North Slope region, which is rich in oil reserves.
After the president’s final words, environmentalists urged Biden to declare a national emergency “in reality, not in practice”.