Biden Makes Historic Visit to the Amazon Rainforest
President Joe Biden made a historic visit to the Amazon rainforest, becoming the first sitting U.S. President to do so. Upon arriving at Manaus-Eduardo Gomez International Airport, Biden, dressed in blue pants, a blue shirt, and boots, was accompanied by his daughter Ashley, granddaughter Natalie, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The group greeted a delegation of local officials and dignitaries on the tarmac, shaking hands and chatting briefly before the President made his way to Marine One.
The official reception included several key figures, such as Maria Deize Camilo Jorge, the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Representation Office in the Northern Region; Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil; Wilson Miranda Lima, Governor of the State of Amazonas; David Alemida, Mayor of Manaus; and Dr. Carlos Nobre, a renowned Earth System Scientist and Nobel Prize winner. Dr. Nobre, who is a leading expert on the effects of climate change on the Amazon, joined the President on the aerial tour.
President Biden then boarded Marine One for an aerial tour of the rainforest. As the helicopter lifted off, the pool of reporters followed in Blackhawk helicopters, capturing the stunning views of the region.
The tour began over the Rio Negro, with the sprawling city of Manaus in the background. The river, which is a major tributary of the Amazon, was visible on one side of the helicopter, while the dense, green treetops of the rainforest stretched out on the other. As the flight progressed, the churning brown waters of the Amazon River became visible, clearly marking the meeting point of the Rio Negro's dark waters and the lighter-colored Amazon.
The aerial route also took the group over various parts of the rainforest, with officials pointing out notable features such as a wildlife refuge, shore erosion, fire damage, and grounded ships. While these points were difficult to identify from the air, they highlighted the ongoing environmental challenges facing the Amazon.
Biden was accompanied on the tour by John Podesta, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy, and Dr. Nobre, who provided expert insights into the region's ecological significance and the impacts of climate change on the rainforest. Dr. Nobre, part of the team that won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has long advocated for urgent global action to protect the Amazon.
This visit marked a significant moment in U.S.-Brazil relations and underscored President Biden's commitment to addressing climate change and protecting the world’s vital ecosystems.
From the White House:
The President is participating in a tour of Museu da Amazônia to see a portion of the Amazon rainforest and engage with local indigenous leaders, environmental defenders, conservationists, and entrepreneurs. The Museum sits on a small portion of the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, which many consider to be the starting point of the Amazon River proper and the gateway to the Amazon. The Reserve is one of the most important research sites in the Amazon. It has research partnerships with U.S. partners such as the Smithsonian Institute and Louisiana State University, and has been supported by the Amazon Fund, which President Biden announced $50 million in additional funding for today.
After the tour, the President will deliver brief remarks and sign a proclamation designating November 17 as International Conservation Day.
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