Climate Czar John Kerry Blasted Online Amid Claims He Used Private Jet to Attend Obama's B-Day

This is not the first time the former secretary of state has raised eyebrows with his actions. Earlier this year, it transpired that he used a private jet to travel to Iceland in 2019 to accept an award from an organisation that deals with environmental issues.

Social media users have harshly criticised US climate envoy John Kerry after the Daily Mail reported that the official used his private jet to attend the birthday party of former President Barack Obama. Kerry was among a plethora of guests that included director Steven Spielberg, actor George Clooney, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, and other celebrities that attended Obama's 60th birthday bash, which was held on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.

The State Department quickly issued a statement denying that Kerry used a private jet.
"Secretary Kerry lives on Martha's Vineyard, he did not travel there for a party. He took a ferry to Martha's Vineyard, he did not fly commercial or private", a State Department spokesperson said.

Pictures published by the Daily Mail appear to suggest the contrary. One of them shows Kerry getting off a plane.

Obama B-Day Party: “Former senator & U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry was spotted along with TV presenter & comedian Stephen Colbert. Both men have homes on the island... Kerry took a private jet to the island of Martha's Vineyard.”https://t.co/9d6aURbdbq pic.twitter.com/njzSz3eWKI

— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) August 7, 2021

​Another photo shows him walking next to a sign reading "Martha's Vineyard Airport".

The news caused anger on social media, with users accusing the climate envoy of hypocrisy.

To John Kerry, global warming is an existential threat that means hundreds of thousands of Americans must lose their jobs.

But it's not quite serious enough to put away his private jets.

What a fraud. https://t.co/w6ZTG1x7Ol

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) August 7, 2021

He's not getting anything done, he flew there to play golf. That's not leadership, it is the epitome of hypocrisy, which fits Mr. Kerry perfectly, given the size of his carbon footprint.

— Aaron (@Aaron_Staats) August 7, 2021

​Others attacked the official for not practicing what he preaches.

The rules are for us, not for them.

— Iron Thompson (@at67435) August 7, 2021

He takes a private jet everywhere while telling everybody else they shouldn't go anywhere to save the planet. This is the same guy who traveled with his stepson, Christopher Heinz, to do $1 billion deal with the Chinese Central Bank on Air Force Two with then VP & Hunter Biden.

— Dave (@daverburgess) August 7, 2021

​Still others mocked the climate czar and said they were not surprised by his behaviour.

For the record, I've used my air conditioner this summer far less than John Kerry has used his private jet

— Tommy (@TommyBeeswax) August 8, 2021​

Of course! U didn't expect to see him on the ferry, did u?

— cathi viveros (@cathivMA) August 7, 2021

​Yet, there were those who said there was nothing wrong with Kerry's actions.

So what? If Kerry paid for the flight, what's the beef? He can go anyplace he wants to fly as long as he pays for it.

— Kenneth V. Duncan (@KennethVDuncan) August 7, 2021​

People fly private plains every day. No big deal.

— Sarah (@SarahCConor) August 7, 2021

​According to aviation firm Honeywell Aerospace, private jets emit 40 times as much carbon per passenger as regular commercial flights. In February, Fox News obtained data from FlightAware, which revealed that Kerry and his family produced 116 tonnes of carbon over the past year by using a private jet. For comparison, a typical passenger travelling on regular commercial flights produces 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Recent data obtained by Fox News showed that John Kerry's private jet has made 16 flights this year alone.

As mentioned earlier, this is not the first time the climate czar's actions have raised eyebrows. Earlier this year, it became known that in 2019 he flew on a private jet to collect an award from an environmental organisation. Back then, he said he couldn't use other means of transport to get to the destination.

"If you offset your carbon, it's the only choice for somebody like me who is travelling the world to win this battle. I negotiated the Paris accords for the United States. I've been involved in this fight for years. I've negotiated with President Xi, to bring President Xi to the table so we could get Paris", Kerry told reporters.