John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy for climate, warned that the country is “on the brink of needing to declare a climate emergency.”

Speaking at a forum hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics, Kerry responded to a question about the actions that concerned individuals should take for the climate crisis. He suggested that people begin “focusing” on the issues surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s transition. Kerry also pointed out the tragic fact that “seven million people” die each year due to poor air quality.

Kerry emphasized that the U.S. must “reconnect” with global issues and take responsibility for what is happening beyond its borders.

“I think personally we’re on the brink of needing to declare a climate emergency, which is what we really have,” Kerry declared. “And, we need to get people to behave as if this really is a major transitional challenge to the whole planet, everybody.”

Kerry also discussed the energy situation in Africa, stating that people there who lack electricity must “choose the right kinds of electricity.” He underscored that the U.S. should assist in making such energy accessible and affordable.

“We have the largest economy in the world — $24 trillion or $23 trillion economy, maybe more by now,” Kerry noted. “The next closest is China at about $18 trillion. And, the next closest to the two of us — Germany and Japan at $4 trillion. That’s how far it drops down. You don’t think we have some sort of obligation out of that to be responsible? I think we do.”

In January, Kerry was reported to be stepping down from his position as the U.S. climate envoy to focus on President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign.

The White House subsequently appointed John Podesta to take over as the U.S. climate envoy in Kerry’s place.

{Matzav.com}