Joe Biden picks non-scientist as climate envoy

“Now more than ever, we have to choose hope over fear, unity over division, truth over lies, and science over fiction.” 

Those words came from Joe Biden himself, and just like many other democratic leaders, he isn’t practicing what he preaches. 

Despite his consistent emphasis on following the science, Joe Biden has chosen a non-scientist as climate envoy for the Biden foreign policy team: Democrat senator and 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry of Massachusetts. 

Biden based much of his campaign on his prioritization of following scientists’ recommendations, especially when it comes to climate change. 

“I believe in science. Donald Trump doesn’t. It’s that simple, folks,” he tweeted in October. 

I believe in science.

Donald Trump doesn't.

It's that simple, folks.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 29, 2020

I believe climate change is an existential threat to humanity.

Donald Trump doesn’t even think it exists.

It’s that simple, folks.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 1, 2020

But, instead of picking a properly equipped and knowledgable scientist for the position, he chose the former secretary of state under President Obama who has no scientific background to qualify him as a voice on the subject of climate change. His only experience with climate change appears to be serving as a co-chair on Biden and Bernie Sanders’ climate unity task force, along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, according to The Federalist. 

It’s that simple, folks.

Notably, Kerry also forced the United States into the Paris Climate Accord while he was secretary of state, which President Trump withdrew from, The Federalist reports. 

Biden, however, has frequently suggested that climate change would be high on his list of priorities and intends to rejoin the Paris Accord. 

I will rejoin the Paris Climate Accord on Day One. But that’s not sufficient.

I’ll immediately get to work leading a diplomatic initiative to get every nation to go beyond their initial commitment—to push our progress further, and faster.https://t.co/Fn5XTDtfQZ pic.twitter.com/x8X0qhu8qZ

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 4, 2019

Despite his lack of scientific expertise, Kerry accepted Biden’s nomination. 

“America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is,” he said. “I’m proud to partner with the President-elect, our allies, and the young leaders of the climate movement to take on this crisis as the President’s Climate Envoy.” 

America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is. I'm proud to partner with the President-elect, our allies, and the young leaders of the climate movement to take on this crisis as the President's Climate Envoy.

— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) November 23, 2020

Leo Terrell said that Biden’s pick is a step in the wrong direction. 

“Joe Biden is selecting Democratic Dinosaurs like John Kerry,” he tweeted. “I don’t want to go backwards. I want to continue to go forward with Trump policies.” 

Joe Biden is selecting Democratic Dinosaurs like #JohnKerry . I don’t want to go backwards. I want to continue to go forward with Trump policies @realDonaldTrump @newsmax @FoxNews @seanhannity @OANN @PARISDENNARD @foxnation

— TheLeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) November 23, 2020