The Independent View: John Kerry’s New Bipartisan Star-Studded War on Climate Change

In 2009, John Kerry was one of Three Bipartisan Senators who Tried and Failed to Pass an Ambitious Climate Bill. As Secretary of State in 2014, he Negotiated the First Climate Agreement between the U. S. and China. It cleared the way, in 2015, for the Global Paris Agreement, which he also helped Negotiate. Somewhere in this Two-Decade Period he also Ran for president.

Now Kerry returned to the breach, Joining with Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Former Republican Governor of California, to launch a New Bipartisan Group that Aims to Unify the Public behind Climate Action.

It is named World War Zero, a reference both to its Goal of an American Economy with Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, and to the Wartime-style Mass Mobilization that Kerry says can get us there.

Other than that Mid-Century Goal, though, World War Zero will Not Endorse any particular Candidate or Climate Policy. Instead, it Aims to offer a Unifying Story that can Anchor Efforts, focused on the Economic Benefits of Climate Action and the National-Security and Public-Health Risks of Climate Change.

It will back up that Story with Star Power. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ted Danson, and Sting are All Involved, as is John Kasich, the Former Republican Governor of Ohio. Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Stacey Abrams, and Cindy McCain are also Members. Retired Leaders, including General Stanley McChrystal, Represent at least Three Branches of the Military. Ashton Kutcher, a noteworthy Iowan who now sits on the Board of the Washington-based Think Tank New America, is also involved.

John Kerry says:

There are some terrific efforts out there by a lot of groups. But I think we bring something very unique to the table, which is the joining of unlikely allies who don’t agree on everything at all, who come from different places ideologically … but all of whom believe that it’s critical to urgently deal with climate change in a very different way from where we are.

We’re not fighting about the difference between fracking, or the carbon fee and who gets what, or the Green New Deal. We’re really focused on getting everybody on the same page: that the goal of 2045, 2050 for a low-carbon, no-net-carbon economy is critical. Let’s get everybody moving in that same direction, agreed that we have to reach that goal urgently—almost treating it like war, literally. Because if we don’t get on a war footing in order to do what we have to do … we’re not going to make it. We’re not going to get the job done—to do what we set out to do in Paris and elsewhere, that the scientists tell us we have to do.

World War Zero Mission

Who We Are: World War Zero is a coalition of people who are committed to addressing the climate crisis – scientists, CEOs, military leaders, activists, artists, and so many others from all walks of life and every part of the political spectrum.

Our Mission: We will unite unlikely allies and bring together powerful influencers to win the future we all deserve. The war will be won through large-scale public education, content, and community-by-community effort to elevate climate change among public priorities.

How We Will Accomplish Our Mission:

- First, we are going to use our unique convening power to bring leaders and influencers on board from across the spectrum of American life. And not just the usual suspects either – we are pulling in military leaders, entertainers, political leaders from both sides of the aisle, business and industry leaders, leading activists, and more.

- Second, we’re going to be working with these leaders and influencers to engage with people who could be receptive to their voice and message and to ask them to take every step necessary to tackle this crisis.

- Third, we’re going to be leveraging these leaders and their messages to communicate directly with people who we know will make a difference in this debate – with a positive message focused on innovation, job creation, national security, and technology.

We’re Planning to Communicate With:

- Workers who may not have heard how a net zero carbon economy will help them.

- Young people who may not realize the power they have to make a difference for their futures.

- People concerned about national security who may not understand the connection between our climate and our security.

- Any audiences that our robust data and analytics tell us would be receptive to our message and messengers.

World War Zero’s Success Depends on Bringing Leaders and Messengers into the Fold and making sure People are Focused on this Issue and Committed to making a Difference.

There are Many Groups doing Good and important Work right now. What World War Zero brings to the table is the Ability for its Members to Convene and Activate Scientists, the Military Community, the Business Community, and Leaders and Influencers from All Walks of Life and All Political Persuasions who can deliver a Different Message about climate Change than the American People have been Hearing so far. This will allow World War Zero to reach Audiences who Currently may Not think that the Climate Conversation is Relevant to their Lives, but who can be Persuaded and Activated with the Right Message and the Right Messengers.