John Kerry Tapped For Newly Created Role As Presidential Climate Envoy

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Then-Secretary of State John Kerry holds his granddaughter Isabel Dobbs-Higginson as he signs the Paris Agreement on climate change in April 2016. Kerry has been chosen to serve as climate envoy in the incoming Biden administration.





Mark Lennihan/AP



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Mark Lennihan/AP



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Environmental groups praised the Kerry appointment. Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, called him «one of the world’s most effective climate champions.

Varshini Prakash, executive director of the progressive Sunrise Movement, said Kerry «is committed to engaging and listening to young voices — even when we might not always agree — and ensuring we have a seat at the table.

I served w/ Sec Kerry this summer on the Biden-Sanders taskforce & one thing is clear: he really does care about stopping climate change. That's something we can work with.

An encouraging move from the Biden team — now I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a domestic equivalent! https://t.co/xMdBWSuW0m

— Varshini Prakash ? (@VarshPrakash) November 23, 2020

Prakash and Kerry served together on a joint task force to help shape Biden’s ambitious climate plan.

But she added that this new role «is not enough. Her group and others want Biden to appoint a domestic counterpart to Kerry, to push for deep cuts in climate warming emissions at home, not just abroad.