Biden hosts climate change meeting as gas prices skyrocket

Countries from around the world joined the virtual Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate on Friday. President Joe Biden discussed achieving long-term climate goals while taking steps to ease high U.S. gas prices, which are sitting at a record average of about $5 a gallon. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres took a more adversarial tone, comparing fossil-fuel producers to the tobacco industry. White House aides say they expect some of the countries to announce more ambitious climate change goals following the gathering.

But what about gas prices? Biden told U.S. oil producers earlier this week to ramp up production and lower prices. The companies responded that they had little incentive to do so long-term because of the administration’s plans to shift to clean energy and cited Biden’s policies as limiting their capacity.

Dig deeper: Read Esther Eaton’s report on how some young Republicans are trying to un-freeze the climate change debate.