future manned missions to the red planet. ♪ >> this is al jazeera. these are the top stories. dozens of world leaders have joined activists and even pope francis at the two-day meeting on climate change. the u.s. pledged to half its carbon emissions by 2030. >> these steps will set america on a path of net zero admissions by no later than 2050. the truth is, america represents less than 15% of the worlds emissions. no nation can solve

this crisis on its own as i know you all understand. all of us, particularly those who represent the world's largest economies, we have to step up. >> funeral has been held in the state of minnesota for daunte wright who was shot dead by police officer this month during a routine traffic stop. the officer is facing manslaughter charges. israeli forces dispersed protesters attending to confront palestinians in ogg pied east jerusalem -- occupied east jerusalem. the un security council's conference best the into human rights violations in ethiopia is -- in ethiopia. the council says it is concerned about sexual violence against women and girls and wants unfettered access to provide aid. ethiopia welcomed offered's of a

--aid. multiple people of drowned off the coast of libya after a ship capsized. russia is set to begin moving his troops away from its border with ukraine in the coming hours. moscow maintains it was a military exercise area --. but they say some equipment will be left behind for another drill later this year. restrictions will be reimposed in our tina -- argentina as its country faces its most -- worst moment of the pandemic. it's health care system is buckling as the daily case toll rises. more news coming up right after inside story. ♪

>> make the climate great again. u.s. president joe biden urges 30 world leaders to committing to cutting emissions. can you restore america's credibility on the climate crisis? while summit lead to action -- will the summit lead to action? this is "inside story." ♪ welcome to the program. america's back to lead the fight against climate change. that's the earth day message from joe biden. he hopes to restore america's mobile credibility after his predecessor spent the last four years denying the effects of a

warming planet. joe biden is hosting a two day virtual summit with 40 of the world's biggest losers as polluters. china's promising to be carbon neutral by 2060 while biden pledged to have omissions by 2030. >> america represents less than 15% of the worlds emissions. no nation can solve this crisis on its own. all of us, particularly those who represent the largest economies, have to step up. those who do take action and make bold investments in the people and the clean energy future will win the good jobs of tomorrow and make their economies more resilient and competitive. >> nick clark explains what is at stake. >> this virtual summit is the u.s. a ministrations saying they are back in the fight after four years of donald trump ignoring

the climate crisis. 40 world leaders have been invited, including those nations responsible for 80% of global emissions. the top of that is china, and then the u.s. itself. together they account for half of the world's emissions. that's why john kerry was recently in china, seeking and apparently getting a commitment to cooperate from chinese leaders. he knows much more is required. >> nolenation -- no one nation can make the difference air. if china went to zero tomorrow, we still have a problem unless the other nations are also reducing. the point of the paris agreement was, everybody accepted the goal. >> the summit aims to galvanize nations, urging much greater ambition ahead of a crucial climate conference in glasgow in november to limit warming to 1.5 degrees celsius above

preindustrial levels. right now we are already at 1.2 degrees celsius. the effects have that -- of that have been catastrophic, ice melts, droughts, locust swarms, and super's, costing billions and displacing millions. up until this week, national commitments had pointed to a reduction of omissions by just 1% by 2030. the experts say we need a reduction by at least 40% by the time. the world's banking once again on u.s. leadership. >> here is what some other nations committed to this week before the summit. the uk's aiming to carbon emissions by 70% before 2035. the eu passed a new law for a 55% reduction by the end of the decade. some science -- scientists argue these may not be enough. the un's meteorological organizations as last year was the hottest on record.

let's bring in our guest. in exeter new hampshire, michael dorsey, the cofounder of the sunrise movement and former epa advisory member. in cape town, a senior research associate at the institute for global dialogue. in new delhi, the ceo of i-4 asked, the international forum for environment, sustainability, and technology. a well -- a warm welcome. let me start with you, michael. joe biden is trying to reassert america's climate leadership considering how donald trump had pulled out of the paris agreement. how much of a credibility gap does the u.s. have right now on this issue? >> the president has indeed reinserted the u.s. into the multilateral climate context and negotiations going forward. i think it is not an issue of credibility, it is in issue of being fast-moving and delivering at scale. that is something we can expect

from an administration trying to center a climate across all agencies at a u.s. agency level. we have to accelerate. commit to increase our reduction to -- in omissions that we have to push forward. we want to hold this administration accountable to do that. with to do it in ways that pay respects to environmental justice. those that we know who have been harmed and are being harmed by the unfolding crisis. >> the u.s. and china are at loggerheads when it comes to so many issues. there is so much diplomatic tension between both countries. it was not clear almost until last minute if president xi jinping would participate in this earth day summit. how important is it that the u.s. and china are going to be involved? >> good day mohammed into my federal -- fellow panelists. i thing it is very important for

optics in terms of understanding this issue is a nonnegotiable issue. i think both for president biden and xi jinping, it is not just about a photo op but the fact that both have recognized how important this issue is in going forward. the fact of the matter is, time has been lost. the time that has been lost, in terms of delivery and implementation of action going forward on deliberating and mitigating the risks around climate change and adaptation strategies, has actually cost us a lot. in that context it is very important in terms of recognizing climate change represents more than just two countries coming together. it is about global governance, multilateralism. action, in terms of going forward. that does not suggest that all the other issues that underpin the relationships, the teions, the undercurrents around issues

on human rights, the trade questions and security in the asia-pacific, go away. this is one side of the mirror, the other side of the mirror still remains. >> from your vantage point, let me ask you a -- your version touched a version of the same question. how essential is it that the two top polluters and remain on the same page going forward? >> very important. we're talking about solving 50% of climate mitigation challenge if the u.s. and china come together, both in terms of historical and current emission s. i'm very happy the u.s. has announced cuts in emissions. china has to be more ambitious than what it is announced so far.

2060 is the year because of the current technology available. i think that can be enhanced significantly. emissions can decrease morrison finale with more technology -- more efficiently with more technology. it is important for g20, which accounts for 80% of the global pollution. to come together at this issue. i want to add another point, mohammed, that for the u.s. it is not only action but credibility that is important. it's 20 years of climate change negotiations, the u.s. is walked away twice. biden will have to convince the world that it will not happen again. therefore, this will have to be enshrined into domestic lock so the next president does not walk away. it is a question of delivery, action, but also very important

is the fact of credibility. u.s., despite our last few months of the biden nutrition, there is a credibility gap as far as climate change is concerned regarding the u.s.. >> it was just earlier this week that the u.n. report said that 2020 was one of the three hottest years on record and the u.n. secretary general said we are on the verge of the abyss. this morning could not be more stark. it seems like we keep hearing more dire warnings all the time from officials around the world and that nothing really substantial changes. is it realistic to imagine that things could actually change now , that action could be taken? >> look. it is important to understand the extent of the unfolding climate crisis. we cannot mince words. we have to be really honest. it is a crisis.

we have to understand these things. the reality is, many things are changing and have changed. this -- just this last year we crossed a new threshold inhumanity that many of your viewers and listeners do not notice. we came into a world where the cheapest way to generate electricity was with and will be with renewables. that will stay the case going forward. that is a huge change in how we can produce and deliver energy and that speaks to our ability to deliver on that 50% commitment, which, i thick it is fair to say, it is a conservative commitment. while it is important the president of the u.s. made this commitment to increase reductions to 50%, we could actually do much more than that, because we have the tools. we do not need new technology. we can deliver that clean, green future and combat the unfolding climate crisis with new -- renewabl energy and resources in the global south and marginalized communities in the

north. lots of things are changing and will continue to change. >> are we had a stage now where wealthier countries are actually willing to commit poor and less developed countries adapt to climate change? >> it is difficult to say. if we want to be as honest as we want to, with climate change, there has been this idea that countries need to show what kind of commitment they will do at the domestic level. of course, the whole question of development towards renewable energy and climate adaptation and mitigation strategies have to come with some kind of geostrategic tag to it. i cannot help but explore and try to be more honest about the fact that at the summit we are looking at over the next two days, i am more interested in well -- as well in terms of what kinds of implicit conditionality's may accompany some of the financing for climate change adaptation

strategies and the kind of commercial deals that accompany this. it opens up the markets and african countries and helping countries which are more vulnerable and do not have the resources around renewable energy and so forth to then become susceptible to companies that then come in and take control of their energy sources. this is where some of the debates around the issue of climate crisis and financing for development around climate mitigation strategies and adaptation has to be had. we know the whole question of overseas development assistance has been shifting in the negative trend. we know all the countries have not reached a zero point 07% of gnp. this means we are opening up another avenue in terms of not just about, what does this mean for wealthy countries, but what is it mean for poorer countries when they are sitting with incredible impacts and vulnerability, because there are companies arcs voiding their

national resources and so forth. i just want to add another point. the amount of money that leaves africa in illicit financial flows. that money is plugged. if the g20 is really serious about it, we don't need the rich countries to support the financing for development in africa, we have the money as a net exporter of capital. >> chandra, it often feels like developing countries are largely kept out of the main conversation when it comes to climate change. our developed and developing countries starting to work together more daca >> -- work together more? >> unfccc has not been easy. it has gotten worse over the last three decades.

the shifting of goal posts. broken promises in terms of technology. i do not think that we are in a few months have achieved a goal of working together. it is a good beginning, but it will require a lot of trust building and a core -- and cooperation between countries on climate issues. i want to adhere on the issue of finance, i think that developing countries do not need the kind of finance people are talking about. as my previous panelist. clearly explained. in terms of asia, you need a reforming global financial syem. the fact is, the more vulnerable you are, you pay the maximum for global capital. the interest rate is very high. a country like bangladesh, f it wants to access global capital,

has to pay for five times more interest rate then say denmark. i don't think developing countries are looking for a lot of public money. they are looking for technology access and they are looking for reforming global financial systems so they can get technology, they can have money at a competitive rate to utilize those technologies. if there are losses and damages, parts the country my money will be required to rebuild those communities. global cooperation will be required in those areas. >> michael, i see you nodding along. do you want to add your thoughts to what he was saying? >> absolutely. the big trucks going forward --

crocs going forward will hinge on moving resources to the global south. and putting those resources into renewable energy, green infrastructure, things that will help us get out of this unfolding crisis. china has been pushing through its belt and road initiative to push fossil fuel infrastructure around the world to meet its own particular needs. this is an opportunity not just for the u.s. and eu, certainly within africa and asia, to push back on that commitment, that religious commitment to the fossil foolishness of the 20th century and lean in and put money behind new technology, green technology, that will accelerate getting us out of this problem of the unfolding climate crisis. that's what we have to focus on. >> since we are talking more specifically about challenges and particularly -- particular countries in and regions, let resume and on south africa. what's the situation like there?

is it ready for a green revolution? theoretic -- >> erratically we talk about it a lot. the president is one of the five african country presidents invited to the summit of president biden's. but the probably have as we rely on very energy polluting coal as a big driver of our energy supply. we have serious governance crises within the state owned entity that supplies electricity which is called escom. we have challenges in terms of her new -- moving away from coal. we also have this whole debate around moving away from the reliance on one single energy producer to opening up the market to independent power producers. on this issue, we do not have the kind of infrastructure going forward.

needs a lot of resilience and capital. it needs development finance to move it forward to it -- two where it should be to move us to a more productive economy. having said that, i think at the same time i want to reiterate the point made earlier that, within south africa, we do have development finance and money. that point about reforming the way in which access to international development finance has always been -- has to be accompanied around these mitigation strategies we talk about, when it comes to climate financing strategies or instruments. at the same time, in terms of africa and china, there is a shift in china around looking towards greening -- green finance and renewable energy finance in africa. at the one end, there is this whole debate about the fossil fuel issue. on the other hand, if you look

at the bri, and certain pockets of africa, there is this question about if china moves towards greener energy production and opening up that market for itself, what does this do for africa, who still remains at the fossil fuel production level? >> what about in india? what are the unique challenges there when it comes to transitioning to carbon neutrality? is there a viable roadmap in place? >> i think there is a viable roadmap. for india, acting on climate can also mean resolving some chronic environmental issues. from water pollution to air pollution. india suffers from chronic air pollution in its cities. i think climate change and the environmental issues are co-benefits for india. but the fact is that india is growing at a time when a number of technologies are becoming cheaper than the brown and black

technology, the polluting technology. today, solar is the cheapest source of electricity in india. coal is expensive. coal -- renewable with battery supply 20 47 electricity at a much cheaper rate than what coal does. however, what said that, india system is 77% reliant on coal. we have to -- how do we take care of large numbers of people? who are working in the coal sector? we have to develop a simultaneous roadmap on this transition so these people are trained, given better jobs, their economies are made more diversified. the debate on medication must also -- there's a sweet spot for

india. my guess is even though i don't think there will be an announcement of anything big at the biden summit, before glasco, india will announce an ambitious target. then what has right now. >> michael,e are hearing a lot of very ambitious plans right now. the u.s. aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030. the eu has announced a new target which would be a 50% reduction by 2030. is all of this achievable? >> not only is it achievable, much more is possible. the cheapest way to generate energy is now renewable energy. with winds, water, and the son. we can go beyond these government targets and be much more ambitious and fit for purpose and scale. the reality is, some of the

challenges the other two speakers have mentioned in terms of utilities standing in the way of the process in south africa, that is mirrored in the u.s.. you have many utilities slow walking renewables. the transition problem we have in india, we see that across the u.s., but the fact is, some places, take the state of texas, give more people working in the renewable sector already today then there are in oil and gas. that will only continue to increase. we can be much more ambitious than what the current and -- current president is called for. >> we not have a whole lot of time left. how can countries from your perspective better invest in renewables? >> they can definitely start weighing financing towards renewable energy in terms of helping individuals, in particular communities and sectors. the point about a just

transition and employment in the coal sector needs to transition to a more renewable energy employment, is one area. in south africa, we are seeing people on the ground, communities engaging in their own forms of renewable energy. not necessarily only using the kind of coal production or sources of energy because they understand, as well, in terms of their own human experiences of what this means. it is important that we have the kind of right policy mix with the private sector also coming in and supporting the policy instrument with government. of course, engaging in terms of community-based initiatives which we have to start thinking about, particularly in large urban sprawl's that's around the periphery of urban centers in south africa. >> chandra, we'll have a minute left. one of the big concerns right now is deforestation. it's her anything world leaders can do more to crack down

deforestation in the amazon region? >> muhammad, i think we have to look at deforestation and agriculture together. there is a sweet spot there where if we work and have a global mechanism. right now we have several global mechanisms for deforestation, land, and desertification. we need to bring all three together. at the end of the day, deforestation also about income unemployment. we have to provide an alternative to what is better than deforestation. i want to make the last point -- >> i'm sorry to interrupt you, but we are out of time. were going to have to end the conversation. but thank you so much to you and all of our guests. and thank you for watching. you can see this in all of our previous programming any time visiting our website.

for further discussion, go to our facebook page. you can also join the conversation on twitter. our handle is @ajinsidestore. five for now. -- bye for now. r■brç?ç?ç?ç?o■o■ñ■ç■ç■

woman: we love food. we all eat food. food is yummy. however, do we think about the relationship we have to food or the relationship of food to the world at large and our society? current:la food was a public art triennial that looked at art and looked at food, and it was an opportunity to look at the multiple dimensions of food through the perspective of artists. artists are really good at stepping back and looking at what's happening and then re-presenting these ideas in new ways. the artists were given the theme of