Biden touts six-fold climate funding increase under his administration: 'A defining cause of my presidency'

President Biden bragged about achieving his goal of delivering $11 billion per year in climate financing, which represents a six-fold increase since 2021.

Biden's comments came during a historic trip to the Amazon rainforest in South America over the weekend, during which he declared "nobody" could reverse "the clean energy revolution" ongoing in the U.S.

"The fight against climate change has been a defining cause of my presidency," Biden said Sunday. "It's no secret that I'm leaving office in January. I will leave my successor and my country [with] a strong foundation to build on if they choose to do so."

The U.S. saw a massive increase in climate financing under Biden. In 2021, taxpayers spent roughly $1.5 billion, while, by Biden's final year in office, that number ballooned to $11 billion annually. 

"Folks, we don't have to choose between the environment and the economy. You can do both," Biden said during his address from the Amazon. "The question now is: Which government will stand in the way, and which will seize the enormous economic opportunity?"

Meanwhile, Trump has referred to climate change as a "hoax" and derided the Biden administration's focus on climate funding as "the green new scam."

However, while Trump will be able to influence some change when it comes to the government's climate investments, efforts to claw back unspent funds from these major bills will ultimately require approval from Congress.

"My dedication to bettering human lives remains steadfast, with a focus on making American energy more affordable, reliable, and secure," Wright said on X, formerly Twitter, following news of his nomination. "Energy is the lifeblood that makes everything in life possible. Energy matters. I am looking forward to getting to work."