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

 

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Troll post removed.

 

Good choice. The consummate professional, as is the new Sec of State. Keep going, Mr. Biden!!!!!!

A good choice and a clear message, America is back in the fight against climate change and back in with diplomacy.

 

Great news.

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. 

He's a great guy, well done for picking him.

Several defamatory trolling posts and replies have been removed.

 

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 

And the career politicians continue to circle waiting to be thrown a bone.

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.

Back to the swamp, snouts in the trough. 

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, 20205 yr by welovesundaysatspace

On 11/24/2020 at 4:52 AM, webfact said:

Kerry, 76

Its the geriatrics  society

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?