John Kerry, so-called ‘climate czar’ for the Biden administration, was blasted by critics on Thursday after remarks he made about climate change amid the escalating Russia-Ukraine war.
Kerry’s came during an appearance Wednesday on BBC Arabic, he also complained about the potential “emissions consequences” from the war and worried the attention of large countries would be “diverted” from fighting climate change because of it.
“I’m concerned about Ukraine because of the people of Ukraine and because of the principles that are at risk, in terms of international law and trying to change boundaries of international law by force. I thought we lived in a world that had said no to that kind of activity. And I hope diplomacy will win,” Kerry .
“But massive emissions consequences to the war – but equally importantly, you’re going to lose people’s focus, you’re going to lose certainly big country attention because they will be diverted and I think it could have a damaging impact,” Kerry added.
So, you know, I think hopefully President Putin would realize that in the northern part of his country, they used to live on 66% of the nation that was over frozen land,” he continued.
“Now it’s thawing, and his infrastructure is at risk,” he said. “And the people of Russia are at risk. And so I hope President Putin will help us to stay on track with respect to what we need to do for the climate.”
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on BBC Arabic: The Ukraine Crisis Could Distract the World from the Climate Crisis While Having Massive Emissions Consequences
— MEMRI
Critics ripped Kerry on social media for focusing on the issue amid an escalating war on the periphery of Europe.
Total clown show.
— Sean Parnell
Kerry continues to prove he’s the most clueless politician
— Ashe Short
Eye on the ball, John.
— Mary Katharine Ham
I mean “C’mon, man!”
— Kevin Simcox ()
.: "I hope President Putin will help us with respect to what we need to do to stay on track with the climate."
What an idiot.
— Steve Milloy
How was this guy secretary of state?
— Alana Goodman
Listen to our Esteemed Ambassador to the Clouds.
— Sohrab Ahmari
This freaking guy
— Kassy Dillon