Schwarzenegger: Climate change is the real pandemic

Former California goverr and star actor Arld Schwarzenegger on Thursday called on governments t to "invest in past" and use stimulus programmes designed to keep countries afloat during coronavirus pandemic to build a future clean-energy ecomy.

Speaking via video link from Los Angeles to Austrian World Summit in Vienna, Schwarzenegger questioned why governments were using taxpayers money to bail out fossil fuel companies.

"If investors aren't supporting those declining companies, why should taxpayers?," he said. "Government must realise what smart money kws instinctively: don't invest in past."

During summit Terminator star said that “forward-looking decisions” on battling climate change and pollution are needed w as trillions are being poured into rebuilding ecomies around globe.

"Pollution and climate change kills 7 million people every year," he said. "So that's real pandemic ... and re is vaccine."

Schwarzenegger said efficient uses of money would include making buildings more energy-efficient and wearproof, installing energy-efficiency appliances, cars using alternative fuels and planting trees.

Since leaving political office in 2011, Austrian-American actor has devoted time to environmental causes.

A Republican, he has sparred with US President Donald Trump over climate issues.