As he stepped down from his climate advisor position on Wednesday, John Kerry frustrated several social media users after appearing to suggest Russia could better its public image by cutting emissions.
Kerry reflected on his time as the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate after President Biden created the position in 2021. His comments included his disappointment that Russia ultimately chose to wage an “unprovoked, illegal war” rather than offer solutions to combat climate change.
“I believe that Russia has the ability to be able to make enormous changes in what they really want to do. I mean, if Russia has the ability to wage a war illegally and invade another country, they ought to find the effort to be responsible on the climate issue. Unfortunately, because of the actions that Russia took in an unprovoked, illegal war against another nation, we have not been engaged in discussions with Russia,” Kerry said.
“Sadly, and I say sadly, obviously, because it’s a loss for the world not to be able to have Russia acting constructively on this issue, but we need every country, including Russia,” he continued. “Russia is one of the largest emitters in the world. If Russia wanted to show good faith, they could go out and announce what their reductions are going to be and make a greater effort to reduce emissions. Maybe that would open up the door for people to feel better about what Russia is choosing to do at this point in time.”
