Mon Jun 23 23:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in an interview leading up to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, criticizes the Trump administration’s environmental policies, particularly its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its approach to international cooperation. Kerry highlights the dangers of unregulated activities on the high seas, including illegal fishing, piracy, and smuggling. He emphasizes the importance of international cooperation to combat climate change and protect the oceans, even as some corporations and financial institutions seem to be wavering in their commitments. Kerry also expresses concern over the suppression of science under the current administration and advocates for increased global investment in research and renewable energy. He stresses the necessity of protecting marine reserves from destructive practices like bottom trawling and criticizes the authorization of deep-sea mining. Finally, he cautions against the negative impacts of trade wars and unilateralism on environmental protection and global economic stability.
**News Article:**
**Kerry Slams Trump’s Environmental Policies, Warns of “New Era of Flat-Earthism”**
*Nice, France* – Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a scathing critique of the Trump administration’s environmental policies in an interview leading up to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
Kerry, who served as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate under President Biden, expressed deep concern over the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the suppression of scientific research, and the administration’s approach to international cooperation on climate change and ocean protection.
“We’re now living in a new era of flat-earthism,” Kerry stated, decrying the spread of misinformation regarding climate change. He pointed to the cutting of science projects and grants as tragic and dangerous.
He highlighted the urgent need for global action to combat climate change, even as he acknowledged some setbacks, including some corporations reportedly wavering in their commitments. “What President Trump has done has affected the pace of this transition. And the pace is critical,” he said.
Kerry also addressed the critical issue of unregulated activities on the high seas, calling it a “global failure.” He described rampant illegal fishing, piracy, and smuggling facilitated by the lack of international laws governing these waters.
He condemned the authorization of deep-sea mining, warning of potentially disastrous environmental consequences.
Furthermore, Kerry cautioned against the use of tariffs, and unilateralism. He fears for the damage caused for international trade and economic markets, which negatively affects environment initiatives.
Despite his concerns, Kerry expressed optimism that the global movement towards renewable energy and sustainable practices would continue, with or without U.S. leadership. He urged countries to invest more in these areas and emphasized the importance of science-based policies to address the climate crisis.
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