Fossil of the Day award presented to the United States
Fossil of the Day: United States of America
Today’s Fossil goes to a country who is usually known for being the loudest in the room, restaurant, hotel, bus, basically anywhere. But here in Baku they have been very quiet, especially when it comes to climate finance.
When we call for climate finance we are not calling to expand the contributor base, but sadly the United States isn’t on the same page. When they do speak up, they continue to push for private finance, credits and loans to mobilise funds. They seem to be muddled on what counts as climate finance. The United States has never been very good at history, still they continue to peddle ‘trickle down economics’ and further privatisation as ‘credible’ solutions, but time has proven to us these only work for the 1%.
The audacity of the US to come here and stand in the way of a climate finance goal, whilst pushing trillions for nuclear energy and billions for carbon capture, demonstrates once again their inability to read the room. With a history of leading the race to mediocrity, President Biden’s legacy is on the line here at COP29. He’s had 11 days to show some form of leadership, but has offered nothing more than obstruction and false solutions.
Biden is on the path to end his presidential term by ensuring that COP29 fails to deliver the kind of climate finance needed, failing to repay their debt owed to the Global South. Trump and his climate denying cronies will welcome this legacy with open arms. The US has proven they are incapable of lasting commitments and are not true global leaders on such a crucial issue for humanity. Short of a 180 change in the next 24 hours, Biden’s presidency and climate legacy will end with a parched whimper. At least get out of the way and let the rest of the world move forward.
-ENDS-
Contact: Dara Snead, Communications Officer: dsnead@climatenetwork.org/ +44 7356 160136