US president Joe Biden has said COP26 should be the “moment when we answer history’s call, here in Glasgow” as he made his speech at the international climate conference.
The American leader called for the summit to be the start of a “decade of transformative action” that will save the planet from the climate crisis.
He admitted that the countries that are most responsible for climate change have not done enough to combat the issue.
During his speech, he warned that climate change is not a “hypothetical threat.
READ MORE: COP26 LIVE: World leaders gather in Glasgow as UN climate summit begins
“Glasgow must be the kick-off of a decade of ambition and innovation to preserve our shared future,” he said.
“Climate change is already ravaging the world. It’s not hypothetical. It’s not a hypothetical threat. It is destroying people’s lives and livelihoods, and doing it every single day.”
He said that the “eye of history” is upon the meeting.
He continued: “Let this be the start of a decade of transformative action that preserves our planet and raises the quality of life for people everywhere.
“We can do this, we just have to make a choice to do it. So, let’s get to work.
“Those of us who are responsible for much of the deforestation and all the problems we have so far have an overwhelming obligation [to] nations who, in fact, are not there and have not done it.
“We have to help much more than we have thus far.”
Biden also stressed the opportunities on offer from addressing climate change.
He said: “We know that none of us can escape the worse that’s yet to come if we fail to seize this moment.
“But, ladies and gentlemen, within the growing catastrophe I believe there’s an incredible opportunity, not just for the United States but for all of us.
“We’re standing at inflection point in world history.
“We have the ability to invest in ourselves and build an equitable clean energy future, and in the process create millions of good-paying jobs and opportunities around the world.”
READ MORE: COP26: What it was like inside the Blue Zone on day one of the summit
He said it has “not been the case” that the US has been “at the table” of combating climate change.
He told COP26 his administration would commit to meeting a goal of reducing US admissions by 50% to 52% below 2005 levels by 2030.
He said this would “demonstrate to the world that the US is not only back at the table but will hopefully lead by the power of our example”.
He added: “I know it hasn’t been the case and that’s why my administration is working overtime to show that our climate commitment is action and not words.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here