Scientists say conservation of the Amazon is vital to curbing climate change because of the vast amount of climate-warming carbon dioxide its trees absorb. In his four-hour stopover in Manaus, Biden plans to announce an additional $50 million for the Amazon Fund, initially funded by Norway and Germany to back conservation of the rainforest, bringing the effective US contribution to $100 million. Last year, Biden said he would request $500 million from the US Congress to support the Amazon Fund. Trump has called climate change a hoax and plans to roll back much of Biden's landmark climate legislation to help pay for the extension of tax cuts secured in his first term. The incoming Republican president also aims to boost record US oil and natural gas production and eliminate rules imposed by Biden to wean gasoline-powered cars off US roads
