President William Ruto and United States President Donald Trump ended up taking very different positions at the United Nations General Assembly in New York after Trump used his speech to dismiss climate change as a global scam.
In his hour-long address, Trump said climate change was the greatest con job ever pushed on the world. He argued that the UN and other organisations had been making false predictions for years, driven by bad intentions.
He told the gathering of more than 150 global leaders that those behind such warnings were “stupid people” and claimed their forecasts had always been wrong.
He mocked the fact that global warming was now being referred to as climate change, saying it was simply a way to cover any weather outcome, whether hotter or colder.
Ruto, on the other hand, offered a very different perspective. In an interview with France 24, he said climate change is not something leaders can simply deny.
He pointed out that the world is already experiencing its effects, from destructive floods to raging wildfires and prolonged droughts. He explained that no amount of dismissive talk can change what people across continents are seeing and living through.
According to him, facts and science cannot be wished away, and action must be taken. He compared the situation to a train that has already left the station, noting that while some leaders may try to delay progress, climate change remains real and climate action remains necessary.
The Kenyan president also highlighted how Africa is approaching the issue.
He said the continent has moved away from a charity-driven mindset where climate action was treated as aid, and is instead presenting investment-driven proposals.
Ruto explained that there are now opportunities within climate action, both for protecting the planet and creating economic growth.
He expressed optimism that this shift will make solutions more practical and sustainable for the long term.In addition to stressing climate action, Ruto also spoke about the need to reform the United Nations. He warned that without serious reforms, the organisation itself could face collapse. He said that its structures and decision-making processes must reflect today’s realities and be more democratic and representative.
He pointed out Africa’s longstanding demand for changes to the UN Security Council and reforms in the international financial system as key areas of concern.
According to Ruto, discussions at this year’s summit showed a broader agreement among leaders, including those from Africa, Europe, and the US, that reform is no longer just a proposal but a necessity.
The difference between Trump and Ruto’s positions captured the sharp divide that still exists on the global stage when it comes to climate change.
While Trump dismissed it as a hoax, Ruto stressed that the evidence is undeniable and that ignoring it only worsens the situation.
Ruto not only defended the role of science but also underlined Africa’s determination to be at the centre of global solutions rather than at the margins.
