Grist interviews John Kerry about Climate Change

[beachmom]

I think they liked his speech at the DNC!

John Kerry on why we need fossil fuels (for now) and climate action (for real!)

By Amanda Little

John Kerry, climate hawk and potential future secretary of state.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who could become the next secretary of state if President Obama wins reelection, sees climate change as a serious threat to national security: It’s “as dangerous as” the possibility of a nuclear Iran or the situation in Syria, he said on the Senate floor in August.

And in his speech at the Democratic convention this month, Kerry, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “an exceptional country does care about the rise of the oceans and the future of the planet” — rebutting Mitt Romney’s snide comment about climate change.

Still, though Kerry is the Senate’s strongest advocate for climate action, he’s realistic about the fact that America is still reliant on fossil fuels.

http://grist.org/politics/john-kerry-on-why-we-need-fossil-fuels-for-now-and-climate-action-for-real/

The interview is at the link. Sadly, it does not look all that hopeful that anything can be done about climate change with how little support there is to do it.

[MBS]

1. thanks-this is really good

really substantive, and diplomatic yet remarkably frank, remarks.
I took special pleasure in his concluding remarks on Mitt:

Q. As governor of your state, Massachusetts, Mitt Romney made progress on clean energy and climate change. Can you share any insights about his former life as an advocate of global-warming solutions?

A. Barely perceptible. He went along because the legislature pushed it. He never led on it. We had environmental activists in the state, we had a Democratic legislature, and they led the fight, but he’s never been an advocate. I’ve never heard his voice on it.

Q. So his flip-flop on this issue–

A. He’s flip-flopped on everything. No one really knows what he really believes.

I also liked the figure legend : " John Kerry, climate hawk and potential future secretary of state" ( I would rather have him stay as senator, but he'd also be a very fine SoS)
And, most of all, you could just feel the respect of the interviewer.. a refreshing change from the usual.. XXXX