Biden's Absence at Global Climate Summit Opening Raises Concerns among Youth Voters over Climate Change Progress
President Biden's absence from the global climate summit in Dubai sparks concern among young voters questioning his commitment to addressing climate change, as he is not scheduled to attend the summit's opening, according to the White House schedule
President Joe Biden is not anticipated to be present at the commencement of the global climate summit in Dubai this week, as outlined in the White House schedule of presidential engagements. In his place, key US officials such as special envoy John Kerry and White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi will participate in the assembly, which is set to be attended by representatives from nearly 200 countries.
Biden has prioritized addressing climate change as a central focus of his policy agenda and his potential reelection campaign, with young voters highlighting it as a major issue for the 2024 election. Following his attendance at the annual UN climate summit in person in 2021 and 2022, it remains uncertain whether Biden will participate virtually this year.
On Monday, the White House declined to confirm Biden's participation in the climate summit with world leaders. However, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby dismissed the idea that Biden's decision was related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing that the President is more than capable of managing his global responsibilities.
Tom Evans, a policy adviser for the international climate think tank E3G, noted that while US presidents have not always attended every international climate summit, Biden's absence would be significant. "It's certainly disappointing that he won't be there. When he's not involved in the discussion, it signals that the US is not fully engaged at the highest level," Evans remarked, emphasizing that Biden's decision not to attend in person represents a "missed opportunity" leading up to the 2024 election.
"This will be the last COP before the US election, and there's a chance that the election might coincide with the next COP," he informed CNN.
This decision has the potential to disappoint climate advocates in both the US and around the world, although some activists and small island nations have raised doubts about the efficacy of the yearly international climate summit process. Notably, Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg opted not to attend the summit, criticizing it as a platform for "greenwashing" last year.
Stevie OHanlon, a spokesperson for the youth climate group Sunrise Movement, told CNN that Biden and previous presidents have not prioritized leadership on the global stage when it comes to addressing climate change. OHanlon also expressed critiques of the international climate summit, especially as it is being hosted by the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, leading to controversy.
"However, ignoring the issue is not a solution," OHanlon stated.
In a July poll conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland, it was revealed that 57% of Americans are not satisfied with how Biden has handled climate policy, which includes 59% of voters aged 18-29. While 74% of Democrats expressed approval for Biden's approach, only 40% of independents and 8% of Republicans shared the sentiment. Additionally, 71% of Americans have reported limited knowledge about the Inflation Reduction Act, the significant climate policy legislation signed into law by Biden last year.
The government's handling of climate change is indicative of a broader trend leading up to next year's general election. Recent polls reveal that President Biden is facing low approval ratings from voters and is falling behind former President Donald Trump, who is the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, in key battleground states. Simultaneously, the administration is struggling to effectively communicate its significant accomplishments in a way that resonates with the public.
A spokesperson for the White House emphasized the president's climate agenda in a statement: "He has secured the largest climate investment in history, putting the U.S. on track to reduce climate pollution by half by 2030, while also safeguarding over 21 million acres of public lands and waters. Additionally, he is actively engaging with world leaders to encourage them to elevate their collective climate ambitions."
"We currently do not have any travel updates for the President, but the Administration is eagerly anticipating a successful and productive COP28. Special Envoy John Kerry, National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, and Senior Advisor John Podesta, along with others, will work to further the Administration's unprecedented efforts to address the climate crisis," the spokesperson stated.
It is also unlikely that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the summit, despite the recent announcement of a significant climate agreement between the US and China to collectively decrease their greenhouse gas emissions.
