The United States will lead the fight against climate change, otherwise
"there will not be much left of our planet,"
the US Secretary of State must declare on Monday, promising to pressure all countries to reduce their dependence on coal.
Read also: Climate: United States and China ready to "cooperate", a few days before the summit organized by Joe Biden
Ahead of the virtual climate summit on Thursday and Friday organized by US President Joe Biden, Antony Blinken is due to deliver a speech on Monday to signify Washington's return to the forefront of this fight after the disengagement of the administration from Donald Trump.
"If America does not lead the world in the management of the climate crisis, there will not be much left of our planet"
, he must hammer, according to extracts distributed to the media.
“If we do this, we will capitalize on the greatest opportunity in generations to create quality jobs; we will build a more equitable, healthier and more sustainable society; and we will protect this magnificent planet, ”
he added.
While the United States last week signed a joint declaration with its main strategic adversary, China, promising to
"cooperate"
to
"face the climate crisis"
, Antony Blinken also places the cursor in terms of competition.
“At the moment, we are late. China is the largest producer and exporter of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, electric vehicles. It holds nearly a third of the world's renewable energy patents
,
”
he must point out.
"If we don't catch up, America will miss the opportunity to shape the world's climate future in a way that is in accordance with our interests and values, and we will lose countless jobs for Americans,"
must- warn it.
Coal pressure
In this fight, Antony Blinken particularly highlights the necessary pressure on countries still dependent on coal.
"Our diplomats will challenge the practices of countries whose action - or inaction - is slowing us down,"
he must explain.
“When countries continue to depend on coal for a significant portion of their energy or invest in new coal-fired power plants, or allow massive deforestation, they will hear from the United States and our partners how these actions are harmful, ”
he must insist.
China, the world's main emitter of greenhouse gases, owns about half of the world's coal-fired electricity production, one of the main obstacles to the fight against global warming. But the subject is also sensitive in the United States: the former President Trump, who had withdrawn his country from the Paris agreement on the climate, had set himself up as a defender of the coal producers - even if the American demand coal continues to decrease. Joe Biden joined the Paris Agreement on day one in office.