Rally in New York urges Biden to address climate crises

Jean Su, from Center for Biological Diversity, emphasized the need for Biden to act decisively against fossil fuels

NEW YORK – Tens of thousands rallied in New York City urging President Joe Biden to address the climate crisis and phase out fossil fuels.

This was the largest climate-focused demonstration in the U.S. in recent times.

Demonstrators criticized Biden for not declaring a national climate emergency and for his planned absence at the Climate Ambition Summit organized by the U.N. Secretary-General, António Guterres.

Jean Su, from the Center for Biological Diversity, emphasized the need for Biden to act decisively against fossil fuels, especially as the U.S. is a major oil and gas producer.

“It’s unbelievable that Biden is sitting on the sidelines when he’s got more power than anyone on Earth to end deadly fossil fuels,” he said.

“Cowering in a corner is not a credible climate plan from the world’s largest oil and gas producer. It’s time for Biden to declare a climate emergency and phase out the fossil fuels killing people and wildlife around the world.”

 This gathering came after a summer marked by severe weather events, believed to be exacerbated by climate change.

Despite such occurrences, the Biden administration has greenlit major fossil fuel projects, decisions that contradict critical emission targets.

NASA climate scientist, Peter Kalmus, highlighted the urgency of declaring a climate emergency, which would allow Biden to take crucial measures such as halting U.S. crude oil exports and restricting offshore oil and gas drilling.

Several progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Jamaal Bowman participated in the march. Bowman criticized the increased oil and gas subsidies and military spending, linking them to global carbon emissions.