Outgoing Presidential Special Envoy for Climate Change (SPEC) John Kerry has argued that people will “feel better” about the ongoing war in Ukraine if Russia “does more to reduce emissions.”
“If Russia wanted to show good faith, it could announce its cuts and redouble its efforts to reduce emissions now,” Kerry said at a foreign press conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. He reportedly resigned on Wednesday to join President Biden’s reelection campaign as head of SPEC.
“Perhaps it could make people feel better about what Russia is choosing to do at the moment,” he said.
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Special climate envoy John Kerry spoke at the AIM Climate Change Summit in Washington, DC last May. (Goals for the climate summit)
Kerry’s comments came after Russian news agency reporter Igor Naimshin asked Kerry about the relationship between the United States and Russia on climate change.
“I believe that Russia has the ability to make big changes if it really wants to. So if Russia has the ability to illegally start wars and invade other countries, “We should be able to find an effort to take responsibility for the climate,” Kerry said.
“And unfortunately, because of Russia’s actions in its unprovoked and illegal war against other countries, we are sadly not participating in discussions with Russia.” “I say ‘sad’ because Russia’s inability to take constructive action on this issue is a loss to the world.”
In a recent speech in Scotland, US climate change envoy John Kerry slammed climate change deniers, saying they were making climate change worse and thereby threatening humanity. (Florence Lo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
The comment was the latest example. Kerry warns about climate change Impact of the Ukraine war.
Mr. Kerry previously came under fire for saying that a major consequence of the ongoing war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s invasion last year, was an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions.
“The problem is worsening in many parts of the world right now, but when bombs go off and damage things like septic tanks and power centers, they release massive amounts of greenhouse gases, methane, and all the other stuff. The greenhouse effect. It’s a type of gas, which makes the problem even bigger.” Kelly said in a July 2023 interview. with MSNBC.
John Kerry’s comments are the latest on the climate change implications of the Ukraine war. (Foreign Press Center)
Just before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Mr. Kerry told multiple media outlets that he was concerned about emissions from a potential military conflict.
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Kelly told the BBC in February 2022: “Equally, the important thing is that you’re going to lose people’s attention.” “The attention of the big powers will certainly be lost because they will be diverted and I think that could have a detrimental effect, hopefully. [Russian President Vladimir Putin] In the north of his country, you’ll find yourself living on land that was once 66% frozen. Now, it’s being thawed. ”
“My concern is that in terms of tackling climate change, in terms of a united effort to try to address the problem of climate change, there is absolutely no need for war,” Kerry told Reuters in a separate interview the same day. ” he said. “Of course we would like to be able to compartmentalize, but without a doubt, it just makes it that much more difficult.”
President Joe Biden and President John Kerry. (Getty Images/File)
In 2021, Biden appoints Kerry This was a position that did not previously exist and did not require Senate confirmation.
Mr. Kerry has traveled the world, attending high-profile climate change summits and diplomatic engagements to promote the global transition from fossil fuels to green energy alternatives.
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Kelly’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
FOX News’ Thomas Catenacci contributed to this report.
