John Kerry heaps praise on Norway

“I love what you do as a country …”

Photo: Ørn E. Borgen / NTB
John Kerry praised Norway’s environmental policies when he spoke at the 50th anniversary of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment in Oslo on May 6.

President Joe Biden’s climate envoy, John Kerry, admires the way Norway and Oslo think about climate.

“I love what you do as a country, and in the city of Oslo,” Kerry said when he spoke during the 50th anniversary of the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment in Oslo on May 6.

Kerry was among several prominent guests who attended the event. He made no secret of the fact that he was very happy to be in Oslo. Kerry told how he had recently read an article about how the capital uses buildings, and not least building sites, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“This will change the behavior in city after city. Norway is always at the forefront and tries to live by higher standards,” said Kerry, who could be called a friend of Norway.

The former U.S. senator spent a few years of his youth in Norway when  his father worked there as a diplomat.

Critical of Putin

On May 6, Kerry was received by Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (Labor Party) outside the hotel The Hub in Oslo. The two held  a bilateral meeting and appeared at a small press conference.

Kerry previously served as U.S. Secretary of State. He was also the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 but lost to George W. Bush.

In the anniversary speech, Kerry took the opportunity to express his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine.

“Vladimir Putin cannot control the sun and the wind,” he said.

He pointed out that Europe has more motivation than ever to make itself independent from Russian gas and instead focus on wind and solar energy.

Fighting for our planet

The U.S. climate envoy pointed to several gloomy developments in the world, including the fact that 10 million people die from air pollution every year.

At the same time, he emphasized that it is possible to win the climate fight, but that it requires a tremendous effort.

“I don’t want to come here and say that everything is dark and impossible, because it isn’t,” he said.

This article originally appeared in the May 27, 2022, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.