Kerry's 2021 Shanghai visit underscored the surreal state of international climate discussions amidst the pandemic.
His tenure illuminated the challenges and perseverance needed for climate cooperation, especially between the U.S. and China.
The article reflects on Kerry's role and the broader implications of his experiences for the climate movement.
Key quote:
“However you want to think of John Kerry, he hasn’t delivered the serious gains to those of us on the front lines of the climate crisis.”
— Mohamed Adow, the director of the Nairobi-based environmental think tank Power Shift Africa
Why this matters:
Kerry's role highlights the intersecting paths of politics, diplomacy, and climate action, pivotal to shaping future health and environmental policies on a global scale. Of course, climate diplomacy and action are taking place on many levels.
Be sure to listen to this Agents of Change interview, in which Azmal Hossan discusses his recent selection for the 2030 Climate Champions fellowship, an initiative from The Asia Foundation aimed at bolstering U.S. and China collaboration on climate change.
President Biden has tapped John Podesta, his adviser on clean energy and a seasoned political strategist, to succeed John Kerry as his global representative on climate, the White House has confirmed.
