US Vows To Lead On Climate, Press All Nations To Reduce Coal Use

Casting climate change as a national security issue, Blinken warned both of major impact around the planet -- and risks to the United States if it does not raise its own efforts.

The United States will press all nations to reduce reliance on coal, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday, in an implicit challenge to China as he vowed greater US leadership. Blinken kicked off a week of intense climate diplomacy by President Joe Biden, who has invited 40 world leaders to a virtual summit Thursday and Friday aimed at raising the world's ambitions on climate. Casting climate change as a national security issue, Blinken warned both of major impact around the planet -- and risks to the United States if it does not raise its own efforts. "It's difficult to imagine the United States winning long-term strategic competition with China if we cannot lead the renewable energy revolution," Blinken said in a speech in Annapolis, Maryland.