Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement of former Secretary of State John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Kerry will be the first-ever member of the National Security Council focused exclusively on climate change.
“Appointing Secretary Kerry to this role is a very good move. John Kerry brings an array of important talents and knowledge to the administration: a long record of leadership on climate change policy; many remarkable achievements as Secretary of State; and a deep knowledge of and appreciation for protecting our oceans, which are at the center of so many climate-related challenges. As important as the person the president-elect selected for this position is the creation of the position itself. Climate change is a massive threat to national security. It’s past time for our president to have a member of their National Security Council focused squarely on the climate crisis. I commend the President-elect and his team on this appointment and look forward to working with John in the battles ahead.”
