Chapter 1: John Kerry's Testimony and Climate Realities

On July 13, 2023, U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry appeared before the oversight subcommittee of the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss his negotiations with China. During the session, Representative Scott Perry (R-PA) confronted Kerry, accusing him of fabricating a "problem that does not exist" regarding global warming. Kerry countered this claim, questioning why "the world’s scientists and 195 nations supporting the Paris climate accord would fabricate the concept of global warming."

This exchange occurred as approximately one-third of the American population was under a heat wave advisory issued by the National Weather Service. States affected include Arizona, California, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas, with Phoenix enduring its 17th consecutive day of temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit, threatening to surpass its previous record of 18 days.

In the same timeframe, the Northeast was grappling with a severe weather event, described as a "100-year storm," occurring just 12 years after the last one. This incident resulted in significant flooding and extensive damage to various infrastructures. Climatologist Cameron Wake noted, "If you look back 20 years, global climate models predicted that we would face more extreme precipitation events in the future across New England." He emphasized that the simultaneous occurrence of floods, extreme heat in the Southwest, and frequent wildfire smoke from Canada illustrates the tangible impacts of climate change predictions.

While Kerry was under scrutiny, Florida's water temperatures skyrocketed to unprecedented highs. A buoy from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recorded temperatures reaching up to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, levels not previously observed in modern records. This marine heat wave coincided with a period where Earth experienced its highest average temperatures, culminating around 62.9 degrees Fahrenheit from July 3-6.

"Scientists caution that these elevated water temperatures pose risks not only for those wishing to swim but also for increasing humidity levels, which can exacerbate heat conditions and threaten fragile coral reefs," remarked meteorologist Andrew Orrison from the National Weather Service. He added that water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and Southwest Atlantic are currently four to five degrees warmer than average for this time of year.

Hurricane and fire seasons are now extending their durations, leading to a future where there may be no clear beginning or end to these threats. It is imperative for future generations to make informed choices—if we have not already reached a critical tipping point.

Notes: It is worth noting that on January 20, 2021, the January 6 House Select Committee reached out to Mr. Perry for his cooperation, citing credible information suggesting he played a pivotal role in advocating for Trump to appoint Jeffrey Clark as acting Attorney General, among other actions. Perry declined the invitation and subsequently received a subpoena. He has been resistant to comply, which raises the possibility of facing consequences from the Ethics Committee for disregarding the subpoena related to the January 6 events.

Shortly after the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago, they seized Perry’s cell phone. He invoked the speech or debate clause to block the Department of Justice from accessing his communications with the White House and associated lawyers. A ruling from Judge Beryl A. Howell mandated that Perry turn over a significant number of his messages. Although he has not faced any criminal charges concerning Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results, the situation remains fluid.

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