Kerry's Shocking Knighted Honor: What Climate Secrets Did He Unveil in England?

John Kerry, the former Secretary of State and a key figure in climate diplomacy, has been honored for his contributions to tackling climate change. At 81, Kerry has dedicated a substantial portion of his political career to environmental policy, and his most recent recognition reflects his unwavering commitment to this crucial issue.

In an interview from London, Kerry dismissed former President Donald Trump's ongoing criticisms of climate change initiatives, where Trump labeled climate change a "con job" and suggested green energy efforts were a "scam." Kerry countered, stating, "the only hoax is pretending it isn’t happening." He emphasized the urgent realities of climate change, noting that "places are getting destroyed by more and more intense storms" and that "people... are wandering the earth to look for a place to live because of extreme heat which is claiming lives." These remarks highlight the tangible impacts of climate change that many communities across the globe are grappling with today.

Kerry's ties to the United Kingdom are personal as well as professional. His mother, who was one of 11 siblings, hails from Kent and Surrey, and she took a young Kerry with her on a visit to the UK shortly after World War II. One of Kerry's cherished memories includes getting lost with his sister at the London Zoo during that visit.

The recent honor marks a notable recognition: Kerry is the first former U.S. Secretary of State to receive such an accolade since Henry Kissinger was appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1995. The late Ted Kennedy, another prominent figure, was awarded honorary knighthood in 2009, shortly before his passing.

During his tenure as President Biden's Special Envoy for Climate, Kerry played an instrumental role in the Sustainable Markets Initiative, which is a nonprofit effort backed by King Charles III. This initiative is designed to encourage industries to adopt more sustainable practices, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing climate challenges. Kerry has worked closely with the British government and the king on various climate initiatives, emphasizing the need to prioritize environmental concerns over partisan politics.

"King Charles and I share the same point of view — that there’s an urgency to doing things,"

Kerry stated, praising the king for his long-standing commitment to environmental issues. "He’s been ahead of most folks on this from the time I can remember... He always had a commitment to nature." This longstanding relationship between Kerry and the king illustrates the transatlantic collaboration that seeks to advance global climate efforts.

It's not uncommon for American citizens to receive such honors in the UK; during her reign, Queen Elizabeth II awarded honorary knighthoods to 27 Americans, including notable figures like Ralph Lauren and Angelina Jolie. However, since Kerry is not a UK citizen, he will not be referred to with the title "Sir," a distinction typically granted to British recipients of the award.

Kerry shared that he has been in London for a few days and plans to remain there through the Thanksgiving holiday. He recently took his grandchildren to see Chelsea play against Barcelona and treated them to a performance of "Hamilton," the acclaimed musical about Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. "I figured a little American history in the middle of this might be worthy," he remarked, underscoring the significance of sharing these moments with his family while reflecting on his own contributions to global issues.

This recognition of John Kerry not only highlights his individual accomplishments but also serves as a reminder of the pressing climate issues that persist today. As climate change continues to affect communities worldwide, the need for dedicated and informed leadership in climate diplomacy remains more critical than ever.