During his Earth Day speech, US President Joe Biden unveiled a $7 billion investment in residential solar projects and commented on the ongoing campus protests linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
On Earth Day, April 22, US President Joe Biden announced $7 billion in federal grants aimed at funding residential solar projects. The announcement was made during a speech in Virginia. Following his speech, Biden appeared disoriented and was assisted off stage by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Later, while engaging with reporters, President Biden addressed a series of protests occurring at various US college campuses, including Columbia University, in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The President condemned any anti-Semitic actions linked to these protests.
The unrest on campuses, heightened by the ongoing Middle East conflict, led Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, to transition to virtual classes to help deescalate tensions. The protests, calling for a divestment from Israel, have similarly affected other universities such as Tulane, Yale, and MIT. Despite the arrests of approximately 100 students at Columbia, police have described the protests as largely peaceful.
President Biden emphasized the importance of understanding the Gaza situation and encouraged dialogue and compromise. During his Earth Day attendance, he also praised the environmental advocacy of younger generations, acknowledging Representative Ocasio-Cortez’s support for student activists.
