A government watchdog group, Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT), has filed an ethics complaint against Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. The complaint alleges that Kerry spread misinformation about climate change, thus violating federal scientific integrity policy. Specifically, Kerry claimed in May that greenhouse gas emissions kill 15 million people annually worldwide. PPT has requested a federal investigation into Kerry’s statements. The group argues that Kerry’s figures greatly overstate the death toll caused by greenhouse gas emissions. According to data from reputable sources such as Lancet Countdown and Climate Vulnerable Forum, climate change is expected to cause 3.4 million deaths by 2100. Another study from Harvard University concluded that fossil fuel emissions are responsible for over 8 million deaths each year. PPT’s complaint states that Kerry failed to provide any scientific evidence to support his claim of 15 million deaths annually. The group argues that spreading such misinformation erodes public trust in scientific and governing institutions and can have significant implications for policy decisions. PPT cites several federal scientific integrity policies that mandate accurate communication of scientific information to the public. These policies include President Biden’s memo on scientific trust, the OSTP’s framework for federal scientific integrity policy, and the State Department’s scientific integrity policy. PPT Director Michael Chamberlain criticizes Kerry’s claim as a “hysterical pronouncement” made without evidence and designed to advance a political agenda. Kerry’s office has not responded to the complaint.
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