Lucas: Ex-climate czar Kerry working the knight shift
In a recent ceremony at Buckingham Palace, John Kerry, the former U.S. Secretary of State and prominent climate advocate, was honored with an honorary knighthood by King Charles III. This distinction, which recognizes Kerry’s significant contributions to environmental efforts during his tenure as President Joe Biden’s Climate Czar, marks a noteworthy moment in his career. At 81, Kerry’s new title of “Sir John” adds a regal flair to his already illustrious resume, which includes serving as a senator and a presidential candidate. Reflecting on the honor, Kerry emphasized the urgent need for action on climate change, a sentiment he shares with King Charles, who has long championed environmental causes.
Despite the accolades, Kerry’s legacy is not without controversy. Critics often point to the contradictions in his advocacy, particularly regarding his travel habits. During his time as climate czar, Kerry faced scrutiny for using private jets for international trips, which he justified by claiming that such travel was necessary for his role. This has led to a perception of hypocrisy, especially as he campaigned for stringent climate policies while contributing to carbon emissions through his own travel choices. Furthermore, many of the climate initiatives he championed were rolled back during Donald Trump’s presidency, leading to an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of such policies in the face of political opposition.
As “Sir John” steps into this new chapter, the honor underscores both his achievements and the complexities of his environmental advocacy. While progressives may celebrate his recognition by the British monarchy, the conversation around climate change remains fraught with challenges, including political polarization and the ongoing impacts of climate-related events worldwide. Kerry’s knighthood serves as a reminder of the high stakes involved in the fight against climate change and the need for consistent action and accountability from leaders in the field. As he embraces his new title, it will be interesting to see how Kerry navigates the landscape of environmental policy moving forward, balancing the honor of his knighthood with the realities of climate action in a divided political environment.
Sir John.
It has a ring to it.
It is what we one-time ink-stained wretches in the newspaper business will be calling John Kerry these days. Sir John.
Which is not to be confused with Sir Elton John or any other John — or Jane — who has been named Knight Commander of the order of St. Michael and St. George since the British award was created around the time of the Napoleonic wars.
Kerry will be called that because Massachusetts’ less than favorite son received an honorary knighthood a week ago by King Charles III for Sir John’s contribution to saving the planet as Joe Biden’s Climate Czar.
“King Charles and I share the same point of view that there’s an urgency to doing things,” the modest Kerry said.
Charles bestowed the honor on Kerry, 81, a former senator, presidential candidate and Secretary of State at a Buckingham Palace ceremony.
It was only through oversight that he did not name Sir John a Knight of the Order of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket as well.
And while King Charles did not make Kerry a duke, an earl, a marquess, viscount or a baron, the knighthood was royal stuff enough.
Besides, progressives will not be putting up “No Knights” signs on their front lawns to protest the appointment.
And to be clear, the “No Kings“ signs they do have in front of their homes refer to Donald Trump, who is not a king, and not King Charles III, who is.
Charles, you see, is their kind of king.
This worldly Kerry accomplishment — and recognition by the British monarch — came about after Kerry stepped down as President Joe Biden’s green energy guru.
This development meant that Sir John no longer jets around the world at taxpayers’ expense polluting the air and lecturing people about the end of the world while attending various climate change conferences in Switzerland with other jet-setting air polluters.
It is the way Kerry rolls — or flies.
In 2019, for instance, Kerry, rather than flying commercial, took a private plane to Iceland to accept an environmental award.
Questioned by a reporter, Kerry said flying by private plane was “the only choice for someone like me to win this (climate change) battle.”
“I can’t sail across the ocean. I have to fly to meet people and get things done.”
Most of Kerry’s climate change initiatives have been dismantled by President Donald Trump anyway. Trump calls the Green New Deal a “scam” and “a con job.”
These include taking the U.S. out of the 2015 Paris climate change accord, dismantling wind and energy initiatives, loosening EPA regulations, reopening the sea and federal lands to drilling, and so on.
Sir John said Trump was full of it. “Places are getting destroyed by more intense storms. People… are wandering the earth to look for a place to live because of extreme heat which is claiming lives.”
Trump could respond by saying the only person wandering the earth was Sir John, and he was doing so flying first class, in a private plane or in a government jet paid for by the taxpayers.
Or Trump could say that most of those people wandering the earth are illegal immigrants who crossed into the country through Biden’s open borders policy that Sir John and the Democrats supported.
The bottom line is that Sir John knows how to rule royally, like when he by fiat refused the request from peasant reporters and lowly members of Congress to release the names of the people he employed, or how he traveled when he was climate czar.
Now that he is Sir John, even honorarily, he doesn’t have to. He has slipped the coils of ordinary life among the un-titled. Sainthood is next.
Just don’t call him Kerry anymore.
He is Sir John to you.
Veteran political reporter Peter Lucas can be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com
John Kerry, former US Secretary of State and Co-Executive Chairman of climate focused investment firm, Galvanize, SMI chief executive Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, King Charles III and Brian Moynihan, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of America attend the Sustainable Markets Initiative Terra Carta Exhibition and Reception, at Hampton Court Palace Palace in March in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
