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Who is John Podesta, the US's new climate diplomat?

Joe Biden is the president of the United States. He has chosen John Podesta to be his new climate adviser. Podesta is a senior official

By Ground report 17 Feb 2024

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Who is John Podesta, the US's new climate diplomat?

Joe Biden is the president of the United States. He has chosen John Podesta to be his new climate adviser. Podesta is a senior official in the Democratic Party. He has worked on climate issues for a long time.

Podesta will take over from John Kerry, who left his climate job to help Biden win the election. Most people who work on climate issues are happy with Podesta’s appointment. They think he is experienced, knowledgeable, and well-connected. But some people are worried that he will have too much work, because he also has another climate job in the US.

Podesta will not be a climate envoy like Kerry. He will be an adviser to the president. This means he does not need the approval of the US Senate. The Senate is a group of lawmakers who can vote on important decisions.

Podesta will be in charge of the US’s climate talks with other countries. He will go to a big meeting in Azerbaijan, where countries will discuss how to deal with climate change. The meeting will start six days after the US election. Podesta’s main goal will be to agree on a new plan to help poor countries pay for climate action.

Who is John Podesta?

John David Podesta Jr., born on January 8, 1949, is a prominent American political figure known for his extensive career in government service and advocacy. He currently serves as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden for clean energy innovation and implementation since September 2022. Podesta's political journey includes significant roles such as White House chief of staff to President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 2001 and counselor to President Barack Obama from 2014 to 2015.

Podesta's commitment to public service began early in his life. He spent his formative years in Chicago and graduated from Lane Tech High School in 1967. After earning his bachelor's degree from Knox College in 1971, where he actively participated in presidential campaigns, he pursued a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, graduating in 1976.

His illustrious career spans various positions in government and public policy. Podesta's involvement in politics dates back to 1972 when he worked on George McGovern's presidential campaign. He held notable positions on Capitol Hill, including Counselor to Democratic Leader Senator Thomas Daschle and Chief Counsel for the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Podesta co-founded lobbying firm

In 1988, Podesta co-founded Podesta Associates, Inc., a prominent lobbying firm in Washington, D.C., which later became known as the Podesta Group. His extensive experience and expertise led to pivotal roles in the Clinton administration, where he served as assistant to the president, staff secretary, and deputy chief of staff.

Post-Clinton administration, Podesta founded the Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal think tank, and served as its president and CEO until 2011. He has also been a visiting professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center and remains actively involved in academia.

Throughout his career, Podesta has been a leading voice on various issues, including government transparency, climate change, and UFO disclosure. He played a crucial role in promoting declassification efforts and advancing clean energy initiatives. Podesta's recent appointment as senior advisor to President Biden underscores his continued dedication to addressing pressing challenges, particularly in the realm of climate action and innovation.