Popular Post webfact Posted November 23, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 23, 2020 Biden names Kerry as U.S. climate envoy, emphasizing diplomacy's role in the fight By Timothy Gardner and Valerie Volcovici FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks by video feed during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 18, 2020. 2020 Democratic National Convention/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Joe Biden named former Secretary of State John Kerry as special climate envoy, his transition team said on Monday, a sign that Biden views diplomatic skills as vital to the job. Kerry will have a seat on the National Security Council in the White House, the transition team said, marking the first time an official will be dedicated to the issue in that body. Biden has pledged to reverse course on climate from President Donald Trump, who doubts mainstream climate science. Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 Paris agreement on climate, and dismantled Obama-era climate and environment regulations to boost drilling, mining and manufacturing. While secretary of state under former President Barack Obama, Kerry, 76, called climate change "the world's most fearsome weapon of mass destruction." In travels from glaciers in Greenland to the Solomon Islands, Kerry has emphasized cooperation on tackling climate change. He will face a challenging task of gaining the world's trust after Trump's rejection of climate diplomacy. As Trump blasted the Paris agreement as being too expensive for U.S. citizens, China, the world's top greenhouse gas emitter, positioned itself as a catalyst on climate, announcing new targets to cut the pollution in September. Before the landmark Paris agreement, Kerry pushed for China and the United States, the world's second-leading emitter, to agree on emissions targets and work toward a global deal. Kerry, who was also a longtime liberal senator from Massachusetts and 2004 presidential candidate, will likely get a quick start as Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris agreement soon after he comes into office. Unlike Trump, Biden believes climate change puts national security at risk because it leads to regional instability that will require more humanitarian missions by the U.S. military. To help push countries to transition away from coal, oil and natural gas, develop renewable power and advanced batteries, as well as conserve delicate ecosystems like forests, Kerry will likely go beyond advocating for action under the United Nations framework for climate. Kerry will also likely work with a counterpart in the White House, expected to be announced soon, focused on domestic climate issues. "The challenge now is to really amplify and supercharge climate diplomacy not through negotiations, but making sure it is part of every country's recovery from COVID and making sure it is a central pillar of policy," said Nat Keohane, who heads the climate program at the Environmental Defense Fund nonprofit. Appointing Kerry as climate envoy "sends the strongest possible signal about the importance of climate action to the incoming administration," said Paul Bodnar, who was a senior director for energy and climate under Obama. Late last year, Kerry launched World War Zero, a bipartisan group of world leaders and celebrities to combat climate change. After Monday's announcement, Ron Klain, Biden's incoming chief of staff, said "Stay tuned!!" on Twitter, when Varshini Prakash, director of the Sunrise Movement environmental group, said she was keeping her eyes peeled for the naming of Kerry's domestic climate policy counterpart. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Dan Grebler) -- © Copyright Reuters 2020-11-24 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 Troll post removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Somtamnication Posted November 23, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 23, 2020 Good choice. The consummate professional, as is the new Sec of State. Keep going, Mr. Biden!!!!!! 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted November 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 24, 2020 A good choice and a clear message, America is back in the fight against climate change and back in with diplomacy. Great news. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Good timing as GAO just issued a notice that Biden's transition team can now contact current administration officials that would include NAOO and other agencies involved with global warming. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Caldera Posted November 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 24, 2020 He's a great guy, well done for picking him. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onthedarkside Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Several defamatory trolling posts and replies have been removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tug Posted November 24, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 24, 2020 I think he’s a good choice and imo keep in mind the checks and balances in our system will balance our progress towards a cleaner greener future so don’t freak out lol we will evolve towards a greener renewable world it’s a good positive step 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgraham Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 And the career politicians continue to circle waiting to be thrown a bone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placeholder Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 3 minutes ago, rgraham said: And the career politicians continue to circle waiting to be thrown a bone. And the lobbyists will have to leave government and return to their corporate masters. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thingamabob Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Back to the swamp, snouts in the trough. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovesundaysatspace Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said: Back to the swamp, snouts in the trough. Yes, only some 50 days or so left. Jared and Ivanka already started the moving process. Wondering when daddy will join. Edited November 25, 2020 by welovesundaysatspace 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodga Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 On 11/24/2020 at 4:52 AM, webfact said: Kerry, 76 Its the geriatrics society Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
placeholder Posted November 27, 2020 Share Posted November 27, 2020 On 11/25/2020 at 3:15 PM, Thingamabob said: Back to the swamp, snouts in the trough. Are you referring to the record number of lobbyists who will be leaving the Trump administration and returning to the swamp they helped enlarge? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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