HOUSTON (Reuters) -U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Monday that global warming is a side effect of building the modern world, and vowed to end former President Joe Biden's climate policies to promote growth of fossil fuels.

Wright made the comments to kick off CERAWeek, the nation's largest energy conference, in Houston.

"The Trump administration will treat climate change for what it is, a global physical phenomenon that is a side effect of building the modern world," he said. "Everything in life involves trade-offs. Everything."

He said that oil, gas and coal were crucial to the global economy and that future energy demand growth was unlimited.

He said the policies that had been implemented by former President Joe Biden to combat global warming were not effective, including efforts to expand zero-emissions solar and wind power, and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

"The cure was far more destructive than the disease," he said.